adj
autocratic
Autocratic (adj) means having complete, unchecked control over how a country or group is governed.
adj
1
Having complete, unchecked control over how a country or group is governed.
"In recent years, the prime minister has become increasingly autocratic."
"Within democracies, nationalist leaders with autocratic impulses – from outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil to presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen in France – have seen defeats in recent months."
— John Avlon, Opinion: The tide is turning against autocracy (2022)
2
Behaving like a ruler who lets no one else have a say.
"Despite his lack of actual authority, his autocratic demeanour annoyed many of his colleagues."
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like autocratic.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Etymology
Formed from autocrat and -ic, equivalent to auto- plus -cratic.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for autocratic
See all rhymes for autocratic →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of autocratic?
"autocratic" (adj) means having complete, unchecked control over how a country or group is governed.
What is another word for autocratic?
Other words for "autocratic" include dictatorial, magisterial, peremptory, tyrannic, authoritarian, tyrannical.
What is the opposite of autocratic?
Opposites of "autocratic" include limited, accountable, democratic, constitutional.
What are the different meanings of autocratic?
"autocratic" has 2 main meanings: 1. Having complete, unchecked control over how a country or group is governed; 2. Behaving like a ruler who lets no one else have a say.
