bureaucratic

adjective

bu·​reau·​crat·​ic ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkra-tik How to pronounce bureaucratic (audio)
ˌbyər-
Synonyms of bureaucratic
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a bureaucracy or a bureaucrat
bureaucratic government
a bureaucratic organization
bureaucratic procedures
bureaucratically
ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkra-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce bureaucratic (audio)
ˌbyər-
adverb

Examples of bureaucratic in a Sentence

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 until recently, a number of legal, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers among the five countries hampered this partnership, keeping it from fulfilling its potential. — Sam Mullins, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026 Indeed, one payoff for Collins sweating the legislative and bureaucratic details has been a literal payoff for Maine. — Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026 John Ruggie, the former UN Special Representative on business and human rights, pointed out that the point of human rights due diligence is not to create a new bureaucratic industry around human rights. — Ben Vanpeperstraete, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 But his focus on voting machines has been somewhat quieter and more bureaucratic. — Amber Phillips, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bureaucratic

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French bureaucratique, from bureaucrate bureaucrat or bureaucratie bureaucracy + -ique -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bureaucratic was in 1800

Phrases Containing bureaucratic

Rhymes for bureaucratic

See All Rhymes for bureaucratic

Browse Nearby Words

bureaucratese
bureaucratic
bureaucratise
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bureaucratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bureaucratic. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bureaucratic

adjective
bu·​reau·​crat·​ic ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkrat-ik How to pronounce bureaucratic (audio)
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a bureaucracy or bureaucrat
bureaucratically
-ˈkrat-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce bureaucratic (audio)
adverb

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