UNDEMOCRATIC Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

undemocratic

adjective

Definition of undemocratic

as in nondemocratic

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 undemocratic Nobel laureates Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson argue that when wealth is concentrated at the top, elites become willing to back undemocratic candidates to protect their assets from redistribution. — Sarita Gupta, Time, 2 June 2026 Contra to many prior popes, this See is not afraid to weigh in on the lopsided powers granted to the billionaire class, or an undemocratic state. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026 This is a fundamentally undemocratic proposal that is not supported by the majority of Californians. — Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 Critics of the legislation have called the unelected board undemocratic, fearing that whichever interest groups could influence the mayor could drive the future of Indianapolis public education. — Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for undemocratic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for undemocratic

Adjective

Particularly in authoritarian or nondemocratic nation-states, journalists can be jailed or harassed for doing their job of reporting on abuses of power.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
Sure, but any leader of any country, democratic, nondemocratic, whatever else, is going to want a military that’s competent.

— Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 12 Feb. 2026

Definition of nondemocratic

Adjective

His government has promised political and economic reform after decades of autocratic rule of the Assad family, which ended when former President Bashar Assad was ousted in an insurgent offensive in December 2024 led by al-Sharaa.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
His government has promised political and economic reform after decades of autocratic rule.

— Omar Albam, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of autocratic

Adjective

Loss of credibility leads to loss of legitimacy in a despotic regime.

— Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
The pretence of an absolute, irresistible, despotic power, existing in every government somewhere, is incompatible with the first principle of natural right.

— Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026

Definition of despotic

Adjective

Zelizer said Trump’s financial entanglements might be the most monarchical part of his administration.

— Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
As much as words held power, so too did symbols, especially those reflecting monarchical versus colonial power.

— Dr. Matthew Warshauer, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2026

Definition of monarchical

Browse Nearby Words

undemanding

undemocratic

undemonstrative

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Undemocratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undemocratic. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of undemocratic

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on undemocratic

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

raffish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes