autocratic

adjective

au·​to·​crat·​ic ˌȯ-tə-ˈkra-tik How to pronounce autocratic (audio)
variants or less commonly autocratical
ˌȯ-tə-ˈkra-ti-kəl How to pronounce autocratic (audio)
Synonyms of autocratic
1
: of, relating to, or being an autocracy : absolute
an autocratic government
2
: characteristic of or resembling an autocrat : despotic
an autocratic ruler
autocratically
ˌȯ-tə-ˈkra-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce autocratic (audio)
adverb

Did you know?

Autos in Greek means "same" or "self", so in an autocratic government all the power is held by the leader him- or herself. Autocratic governments are often called dictatorships, or sometimes autocracies. In everyday life, a teacher, a parent, or a football coach can all behave like autocrats as well.

Synonyms of autocratic

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Examples of autocratic in a Sentence

democracy is supposed to protect the people against the rise of autocratic rulers an autocratic Boy Scout leader who is under the delusion that he's still an army colonel
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But there simply aren’t that many people who want an autocratic America. — Matthew E.k. Hall, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026 Putin was also at the parade, with the three autocratic leaders putting on an unprecedented show of unity. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 5 June 2026 Fatigue with the stagnation inherent in contemporary democratic institutions is among the key factors that make the promise to break through intransigence by autocratic leaders attractive to a plurality of voters. — Wendell Wallach, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026 Indeed, the King would later establish the Instrument of Foundation of the Royal Academy as a more autocratic counterpart. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for autocratic

Word History

Etymology

autocrat + -ic entry 1, in part after French autocratique

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of autocratic was in 1769

Rhymes for autocratic

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Browse Nearby Words

autocrat
autocratic
autocratically
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Cite this Entry

“Autocratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autocratic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

autocratic

adjective
au·​to·​crat·​ic ˌȯt-ə-ˈkrat-ik How to pronounce autocratic (audio)
: of, relating to, or resembling autocracy or an autocrat
autocratically
-ˈkrat-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce autocratic (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on autocratic

Nglish: Translation of autocratic for Spanish Speakers

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