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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of autocratic
This nonfiction account from the Pulitzer-prize winning writer analyzes 21st century autocratic states worldwide, and how democracies can best organize underneath them.
—
Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Taiwan’s parties, in other words, portray their opponents not just as politically different but as autocratic traitors.
—Lev Nachman, Foreign Affairs, 1 Aug. 2025
Europe's democratic values must not be compromised by developing procurement chains from autocratic states.
—Jesse Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
The Shah was becoming more and more autocratic and out-of-touch with Iranians.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocratic
Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Taiwan’s parties, in other words, portray their opponents not just as politically different but as autocratic traitors.
—Lev Nachman, Foreign Affairs, 1 Aug. 2025
Europe's democratic values must not be compromised by developing procurement chains from autocratic states.
—Jesse Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
The Shah was becoming more and more autocratic and out-of-touch with Iranians.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocratic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autocratic
Adjective
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Forceful change to address an oppressive boardroom dynamic may be necessary.—
Michael Peregrine,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
The oppressive heat certainly affected spectators and stadium staff.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The film is filled to the brim with real people and incidents, providing an entertaining primer to explain how a former Communist country was transformed into a cutthroat capitalist regime ruled by an authoritarian modeling himself on Stalin.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
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Term limits prevent authoritarian drift, encourage fresh leadership, and ensure no single person becomes synonymous with the state.—
Joel Shulman,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There would also therefore be a strong case for the England captain Leah Williamson, who was imperious withstanding countless waves of attack from FC Barcelona and Spain in those two finals.—
Asif Burhan,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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The 6-foot-3 receiver has looked imperious during one-on-one action and team drills, running fluid routes and using his size to win contested catches.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Access to justice too (something often underrated), where you can’t be killed or robbed with impunity, and where you won’t be arbitrarily deprived of your liberty or your freedom of speech by a despotic government.—
Simon Boas
July 23,
Literary Hub,
23 July 2025
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Napoleon, the pig who takes despotic control of the farm following the revolution — voiced with haughty gusto by Seth Rogen — bears an uncanny resemblance to the current occupant of the White House.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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But this act of arrogant bullying should also re-kindle the spirit of hope and unity that swept through this community in the aftermath of that horrible night in 2016, that still binds Orlando in its 150th anniversary year.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
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Harry Potter fans might recognize Stroma for playing the arrogant Hogwarts student named Cormac McLaggen in the film franchise.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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With Rome's descent under tyrannical rule, Lucius must step into the gladiatorial ring and fight like his father before him for survival.—
James Mercadante,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Set in a small village in southern India, the absurdist comedy follows Ramasamy, a chilli farmer with an uncontrollable sneezing problem who must survive under a tyrannical zamindar who has banned sneezing under penalty of death.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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And, when those models are grounded in authoritative case law and tax policy information that’s been curated and vetted by attorneys and CPAs, the accuracy and consistency of results is unmatched.—
Laura Clayton McDonnell,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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Stricter parenting styles include authoritative or authoritarian styles.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Weaknesses: The vibes at Jerry World aren’t at their best after star edge rusher Micah Parsons requested a trade late in the offseason, adding another layer to a very public contract standoff with dictatorial owner Jerry Jones.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Aug. 2025
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Bob had to be valiant, dictatorial, curious, ever listening, wily, playful, deluded, strategic, flirtatious, fallible, political, and willing to protect and persevere against all doubters, critics, compass navigators, naysayers well intentioned or not.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Autocratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autocratic. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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