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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.
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
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
Months earlier, the rebel coalition that seized power after ousting the longtime autocratic ruler Bashar al-Assad had pledged to establish a representative government.
—Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocratic
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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
Months earlier, the rebel coalition that seized power after ousting the longtime autocratic ruler Bashar al-Assad had pledged to establish a representative government.
—Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocratic
Cite this Entry
“Autocratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autocratic. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
autocratic
adjective
au·to·crat·ic
ˌȯt-ə-ˈkrat-ik 
: of, relating to, or resembling autocracy or an autocrat
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