as in ruler
one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority
European autocrats once commonly believed that they had received the right to rule directly from God
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Recent Examples of autocrat
Like the Victor Hugo novel that inspired it, the musical rails against autocrats and the systems that elevate them.
—
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 12 June 2025
Biden often spoke about Putin’s threat beyond Ukraine’s borders, both in terms of taking more territory in former Soviet states and emboldening autocrats around the world.
—Colin Meyn, The Hill, 11 June 2025
Yet some of Trump’s tactics resemble those of informational autocrats.
—Daniel Treisman, The Conversation, 3 June 2025
Sisi, who is still in power, became a textbook autocrat, presiding over a military dictatorship.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocrat
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 12 June 2025
Biden often spoke about Putin’s threat beyond Ukraine’s borders, both in terms of taking more territory in former Soviet states and emboldening autocrats around the world.
—Colin Meyn, The Hill, 11 June 2025
Yet some of Trump’s tactics resemble those of informational autocrats.
—Daniel Treisman, The Conversation, 3 June 2025
Sisi, who is still in power, became a textbook autocrat, presiding over a military dictatorship.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocrat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autocrat
Noun
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Princess Mako, a niece of Japan's Emperor Naruhito (and whose younger brother is the likely next ruler of Japan), married her longtime love, Kei Komuro, in a simple ceremony at a registry office on Oct. 26, 2021.—
Alex Apatoff,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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In 2019, during the first Trump administration, the State Department invoked a similar authority under the budget act to impose visa sanctions on Raúl Castro, the island's ultimate ruler, and his sons and daughters.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
The reigning monarch would get the final say in granting approval to a club.—
Mike Fore,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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Biya came to power in 1982 and has remained in office for more than four decades, becoming one of the globe’s longest-serving heads of state, excluding monarchs.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Autocrat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autocrat. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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