as in governmental
of, relating to, or like a nonelective government official or body of government officials
a bureaucratic institution bureaucratic procedures
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Recent Examples of bureaucratic
Real intelligence-collection work is usually team-based, bureaucratic and slow.
—
Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Reflecting the global reach of American hegemony, as well as the way the bureaucratic style of Soviet espionage precluded such individual initiative, eighteen of these thirty operatives were Americans.
—Alfred McCoy, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
People in bureaucratic roles witnessed immigration and customs officers violently arresting people in the court hallways.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026
While that phrase may sound bureaucratic.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bureaucratic
Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Reflecting the global reach of American hegemony, as well as the way the bureaucratic style of Soviet espionage precluded such individual initiative, eighteen of these thirty operatives were Americans.
—Alfred McCoy, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
People in bureaucratic roles witnessed immigration and customs officers violently arresting people in the court hallways.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026
While that phrase may sound bureaucratic.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bureaucratic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bureaucratic
Adjective
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Even when the governmental entity has insurance, that doesn’t mean the victim will be guaranteed a payment above the cap.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
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The transition from paper to digital records was a massive lift for governmental and health organizations.—
Emily Brindley,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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China’s top policymakers are due to release growth targets and stimulus plans for the year at an annual parliamentary meeting that kicks off Wednesday.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
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Announced on March 2, the parliamentary approval represents a major shift in funeral legislation since the introduction of cremation in 1902.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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McKinley was handed a letter of termination from the president of the school, and placed on administrative leave.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Mar. 2026
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Department leaders placed the officer involved on paid administrative leave while the shooting is investigated, per department policy.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bureaucratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bureaucratic. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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