autocratic

adjective

au·​to·​crat·​ic ˌȯ-tə-ˈkra-tik 

variants or less commonly autocratical

ˌȯ-tə-ˈkra-ti-kəl 

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 

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

• absolute
• arbitrary
• czarist
• tsarist
• tzarist
• despotic
• dictatorial
• monocratic
• tyrannical
• tyrannic
• tyrannous

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

For another, even the most autocratic chief executive would have a hell of a time trying to put an American TV network out of business. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2024

Leadership styles can vary, from autocratic to laissez-faire, and each type sets a specific tone in the workplace. —Kate Wieczorek, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

That exchange underscored Trump’s tendency to favor autocratic leaders, but Fox decided not to share it with viewers. —Brian Stelter, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024

So, what advice would Steve Jobs have for those leaders who seek to emulate his autocratic ways? —Greg McKenna, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

autocratic

adjective

au·​to·​crat·​ic ˌȯt-ə-ˈkrat-ik 

: of, relating to, or resembling autocracy or an autocrat

autocratically

-ˈkrat-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb