as in tyranny
a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power
the Magna Carta is historically important because it signified the British rejection of autocracy and constituted the first formal restraining of the power of the monarch
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of autocracy
The revisionist autocracies—led by China and Russia—will further aim to replace the liberal order established by the democratic Global West through more confrontational means.
—
George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
To use the threat of sanctions to strong-arm South Korea today would similarly undermine the values that Washington’s claims distinguish democracy from autocracy—giving China more ammunition to attack the United States for hypocrisy.
—Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024
The similarities among these places are real, because Russia, Iran, Venezuela, North Korea, and, until now, Syria all belong to an informal network of autocracies.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2024
Assad may melt away into exile in a lavish row of Moscow dachas, and his hollow autocracy may crumble fast.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for autocracy 
George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
To use the threat of sanctions to strong-arm South Korea today would similarly undermine the values that Washington’s claims distinguish democracy from autocracy—giving China more ammunition to attack the United States for hypocrisy.
—Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024
The similarities among these places are real, because Russia, Iran, Venezuela, North Korea, and, until now, Syria all belong to an informal network of autocracies.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2024
Assad may melt away into exile in a lavish row of Moscow dachas, and his hollow autocracy may crumble fast.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for autocracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autocracy
Noun
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When Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, and the rest of their ragtag fugitive fleet fled the Cylon tyranny, one of their first ports of call was the pleasure planet of Carillon for a spot of R&R.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
15 Jan. 2025
-
During that terrifying first year of tyranny, Mon Mothma, Saw Gerrera, and Bail Organa face the encroaching darkness.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Since the peaceful revolution against the Assad dictatorship in 2012, the United States found ways to advance change.—
Brandon Hoffman,
New York Daily News,
16 Jan. 2025
-
For his part, Rubio kept a serious stance while making his case for the new role and speaking out against dictatorship regimes, but also, kept several exchanges with senators lighter at times.—
Claudia Grisales,
NPR,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Juan Bernabe, 56, was already a controversial figure at the club for his open support of fascism, but his up-and-down career came to an end after Sunday’s Instagram posts, The Athletic reported.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
14 Jan. 2025
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The series tells the story of the birth of fascism in Italy and the rise to power of Benito Mussolini.—
Billboard Italy,
Billboard,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Western governments have burdened Georgia with a special status as a democracy-in-the-making in a region otherwise beset by despotism.—
Christian Caryl,
Foreign Affairs,
26 Dec. 2024
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Although Adolf Hitler met his road to perdition, Joseph Stalin survived and extended his despotism.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2024
Articles Related to autocracy
Thesaurus Entries Near autocracy
Cite this Entry
“Autocracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autocracy. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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