as in rulers
one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority
European autocrats once commonly believed that they had received the right to rule directly from God
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Recent Examples of autocrats
The central question is whether the rise of autocrats is reversible.
—
Max Hastings, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
The alternative to Trump is not to double down on red tape; that would just result in future autocrats who ignore law altogether.
—Philip K. Howard, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
This is the dimension in which the United States has the most potential wherewithal to unsettle the autocrats.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
His latest book, Slow Poison, focuses on the making of the Ugandan state post British colonialism and the two autocrats that largely shaped it.
—Leila Fadel, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025
By prohibiting questions and challenges, autocrats gain the power to limit how people think and control their bodies.
—Elizabeth Anne Wood, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
The idea that speech or thought contrary to the government line could trigger punishment is the dream of autocrats.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
If not, aggressive autocrats around the world could learn that violating the sovereignty of weaker neighbors pays off.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
And the courts, one of our best places to fight these autocrats, could quickly run out of money.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Max Hastings, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
The alternative to Trump is not to double down on red tape; that would just result in future autocrats who ignore law altogether.
—Philip K. Howard, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
This is the dimension in which the United States has the most potential wherewithal to unsettle the autocrats.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
His latest book, Slow Poison, focuses on the making of the Ugandan state post British colonialism and the two autocrats that largely shaped it.
—Leila Fadel, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025
By prohibiting questions and challenges, autocrats gain the power to limit how people think and control their bodies.
—Elizabeth Anne Wood, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
The idea that speech or thought contrary to the government line could trigger punishment is the dream of autocrats.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
If not, aggressive autocrats around the world could learn that violating the sovereignty of weaker neighbors pays off.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
And the courts, one of our best places to fight these autocrats, could quickly run out of money.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autocrats
Noun
-
The people disembarked the out-of-service Baathist train and are waiting for the trains the new rulers promised them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The satellite service has expanded rapidly in recent years, securing licenses in more than 120 countries, including some with authoritarian rulers who have persecuted journalists and protesters.—
David Rising,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Basically, the plant emits toxins that may help monarchs fend off the parasite, but something about heat disrupts this delicate balance.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Foreign monarchs, presidents or prime ministers of other countries visit King Charles during inward trips, while the British royals also travel abroad at the invitation of other nations for outward visits.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Autocrats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autocrats. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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