as in governmental
of, relating to, or like a nonelective government official or body of government officials
a bureaucratic institution bureaucratic procedures
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bureaucratic
The place is burdened by its size, with a culture that current and former employees routinely describe as bureaucratic, sometimes bordering on sclerotic, and highly risk-adverse.
—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Still, there are challenges ahead, especially relating to the bureaucratic obstacles of building large energy projects and hooking them up to the grid.
—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
23 June 2026
Cuban leaders including Raúl Castro — late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro’s brother, who still wields significant power — have sought to push forward more limited reforms of Cuba’s economy in the past, but efforts have run into bureaucratic hurdles.
—
Andrea Rodríguez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
The speed and magnitude of AI development is transforming what’s usually a bureaucratic and deliberative approach to national defense into one where the administration has started to take sweeping actions very quickly.
—
Caitlin Babcock,
Christian Science Monitor,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bureaucratic
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Still, there are challenges ahead, especially relating to the bureaucratic obstacles of building large energy projects and hooking them up to the grid.
—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
23 June 2026
Cuban leaders including Raúl Castro — late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro’s brother, who still wields significant power — have sought to push forward more limited reforms of Cuba’s economy in the past, but efforts have run into bureaucratic hurdles.
—
Andrea Rodríguez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
The speed and magnitude of AI development is transforming what’s usually a bureaucratic and deliberative approach to national defense into one where the administration has started to take sweeping actions very quickly.
—
Caitlin Babcock,
Christian Science Monitor,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bureaucratic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bureaucratic
Adjective
-
In the years since, a plethora of local, state and federal governmental actions have elevated the protection of marine mammals in the cove.
-
Strategic partnerships also create room for conversation and open dialogue that is not possible solely through the lens of governmental and social diplomacy.
Adjective
-
The electoral authority based the candidate bans on a law against corrupt practices that in previous years saw some parliamentary seats bought with money linked to drug trafficking, corruption and tax evasion.
-
The parliamentary media center noted that the parts cut out of the Tuesday night broadcast included discussion of United Nations nuclear inspections, the country's frozen financial assets, and a $300 billion reconstruction fund.
Adjective
-
The officer who fired their weapon has been placed on administrative leave as the state law enforcement agency conducts its investigation, per standard protocol.
-
While Clarence House will serve as the monarch’s official London residence, Charles will maintain an office out of Buckingham Palace, which will remain the administrative headquarters of the British royal family.
Cite this Entry
“Bureaucratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bureaucratic. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
