variants
also autocratical
1
as in oppressive
exercising power or authority without interference by others
democracy is supposed to protect the people against the rise of autocratic rulers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around
an autocratic Boy Scout leader who is under the delusion that he's still an army colonel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of autocratic
The Gulf nations have long feared that the empowerment of Islamist groups in the Middle East could destabilize their own autocratic governments.
—
Ismaeel Naar, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Instead, China has used technology to shore up autocratic controls and to build a strong military with an eye toward regional power and global influence.
—Caroline Wagner, The Conversation, 3 Jan. 2025
For these countries, there is far less concern about Trump’s autocratic tendencies and contempt for liberal internationalist ideals.
—Bilahari Kausikan, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Nicaragua's become even more autocratic this year, and recent blackouts in Cuba illustrate how difficult living there is for many.
—Marina E. Franco (noticias Telemundo For Axios), Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for autocratic 
Ismaeel Naar, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Instead, China has used technology to shore up autocratic controls and to build a strong military with an eye toward regional power and global influence.
—Caroline Wagner, The Conversation, 3 Jan. 2025
For these countries, there is far less concern about Trump’s autocratic tendencies and contempt for liberal internationalist ideals.
—Bilahari Kausikan, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Nicaragua's become even more autocratic this year, and recent blackouts in Cuba illustrate how difficult living there is for many.
—Marina E. Franco (noticias Telemundo For Axios), Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for autocratic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autocratic
Adjective
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Jimmy Garoppolo profited from exposure to 49ers’ system The Commanders, thankfully shorn of the oppressive incompetence of former owner Daniel Snyder, were remade in a year by G.M. Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn.—
Jerry McDonald,
The Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2025
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The book, taking the form of a fable told in short, single paragraphs, scattershot swatches of wisdom, aphorisms and illustrations, has long been a manual for how to practice togetherness in the face of extreme, oppressive opposition.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Over the past decade, during which the authoritarian Law and Justice party has ruled in Poland, the Centre has served as a staunch defender of independent research.—
Natalia Romik / Madę by History,
TIME,
27 Jan. 2025
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In this paradigm, the ideal worker is less like a corporate ally or a trusted collaborator and more like a subject of an authoritarian regime.—
Anna Wiener,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Slot’s team drew at Nottingham Forest and, on the weekend, 90 goalless minutes had passed at Brentford with a feeling that the imperious phase was finally at an end.—
Darren Richman,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
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Within this, there are other curiosities: Brentford finding a formula to net in the first minute of three consecutive games; Arsenal, long associated with artful offensive patterns, becoming imperious from corner kicks; Forest’s robust Chris Wood emerging as a bountiful goalscorer at the age of 33.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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But Valery, despite his lack of power in a despotic system, is able to help others, and finds a way to not just survive his pain but also live with its lasting effects.—
Vanessa Armstrong,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2025
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Assad's fall is a globally resonant message that such despotic regimes cannot endure indefinitely.—
Paul du Quenoy,
Newsweek,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Inside Llewyn Davis star plays Victor Frankenstein, the arrogant scientist who successfully creates life out of an assemblage of deceased body parts.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
30 Jan. 2025
-
An arrogant advertiser at the peak of success is forced to promote a tycoon as a presidential candidate, while a mysterious stalker threatens to destroy his agency and his reputation.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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King Saran Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) will portray the tyrannical king who is also Amari and Inan's father.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
22 Jan. 2025
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Despite these achievements, many scholars believe the king deserves his tyrannical reputation.—
Ellen Wexler,
Smithsonian Magazine,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Modern viewers have short-attention spans and the ones who still watch broadcast TV still gravitate to an authoritative solo figure who talks to them about politics, natural disasters, overseas drama and even popular culture.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2025
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But this information is not revealed through title cards or authoritative talking heads.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Though Yoon rescinded the decree after just six hours, the martial law imposition was the first of its kind in South Korea in more than 40 years and evoked painful memories of past dictatorial rules in the 1960s-80s.—
Danielle Wallace,
Fox News,
26 Jan. 2025
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World Gone, the Assads Jay Nordlinger On the rise and fall of Syria’s dictatorial dynasty.—
Daniel Foster,
National Review,
23 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near autocratic
Cite this Entry
“Autocratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autocratic. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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