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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of autocratic
History shows that autocratic states like Russia are only deterred by a strong counterforce from a rival that balances it and threatens its survival.
—
William Walldorf, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
As many writers have already warned, these moves represent a frightening step toward autocratic rule and an erosion of democratic values.
—Elaine Weiss, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
No one won an argument with autocratic studio bosses, and Scott’s movie career was over.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Another updates public school social studies standards to include the perils of communism and autocratic governments.
—Alex Golden, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocratic
William Walldorf, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
As many writers have already warned, these moves represent a frightening step toward autocratic rule and an erosion of democratic values.
—Elaine Weiss, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
No one won an argument with autocratic studio bosses, and Scott’s movie career was over.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Another updates public school social studies standards to include the perils of communism and autocratic governments.
—Alex Golden, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocratic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autocratic
Adjective
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Cryptocurrency mixers can be essential tools for individuals who value privacy, including those living under oppressive regimes, journalists, whistleblowers, and businesses that require confidentiality in their transactions.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Coventry became the minister of sports a year after the coup that removed Mugabe in the new administration of current President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s vice president who rights groups say has continued many of Mugabe’s oppressive policies.—
Gerald Imray,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The obvious split between a democratic Taiwan and an authoritarian China is an uncontestable reality and is part of the international consensus.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
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Since taking office just a few weeks ago, President Trump has rapidly depleted the reservoir of America’s soft power with an authoritarian bent and astonishing speed.—
Penny Abeywardena,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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City, imperious under Pep Guardiola for so long, imploded in the autumn and on Christmas Day, sat seventh.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
The Athletic,
19 Mar. 2025
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In a minor act of indulgence, Lauren signs herself up for a commercials acting class overseen by the prickly and imperious Liz (Gaby Hoffmann, one of many faces familiar from Transparent).—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Hip-hop regenerates constantly, and yet there has been an almost despotic grip on the throne(s) for some time.—
Jon Caramanica,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2024
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The notion that these companies were sovereign enclaves of pitilessly despotic geniuses is a myth of recent vintage.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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So this kind of parallel can easily be drawn between Iran and other countries, [including those with] an arrogant isolation program, definitely.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Mar. 2025
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One of the targets of his reign of terror is arrogant Judge Stefan Mortensen, played by Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush admitted to the facility after being left partially paralyzed after a stroke.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The film, based on Georges Simenon’s 1950 novel, stars Depardieu as a celebrated but tyrannical actor grappling with personal and professional decline.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Mar. 2025
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What is the character of those who bear false witness and favor Russia’s tyrannical lies over Ukrainians’ unalienable rights?—
Mark Sandy,
TIME,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The authoritative analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo from TFI Securities, has also indicated these are the dimensions.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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The extreme heat in large parts of the world during 2024 contributed significantly to a jump in global energy demand, an authoritative new report says.—
Andrew Freedman,
Axios,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Wu’s strong personality and dictatorial style have caught the attention of President Donald Trump, border czar Tom Homan and Attorney General Pam Bondi.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
15 Mar. 2025
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Nothing unconstitutional or dictatorial about that.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Autocratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autocratic. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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