Autocratic — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌȯ-tə-ˈkra-tik/ au·to·crat·ic

Meaning & Definition of Autocratic

Autocratic (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, or being an autocracy, absolute
  2. characteristic of or resembling an autocrat, despotic

Autocratic (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. exercising power or authority without interference by others

    "democracy is supposed to protect the people against the rise of autocratic rulers"

    similar: absolute, arbitrary, czarist, despotic, dictatorial, monocratic, tyrannical, tyrannous
    related: authoritarian, jackbooted, oppressive, totalitarian, antidemocratic, antirepublican, high-handed, magisterial, domineering, imperious, masterful, all-powerful, almighty, omnipotent, autonomous, self-governing, self-ruling, sovereign, unconditional, unlimited
    opposite: limited
    near: circumscribed, restrained, restricted, constitutional, lawful, democratic, republican

  2. fond of ordering people around

    "an autocratic Boy Scout leader who is under the delusion that he's still an army colonel"

    similar: authoritarian, authoritative, bossy, despotic, dictatorial, domineering, imperious, masterful, overbearing, peremptory, tyrannical, tyrannous
    related: arrogant, assumptive, disdainful, fastuous, haughty, highfalutin, high-and-mighty, high-hat, huffy, important, lofty, lordly, overweening, presuming, presumptuous, pretentious, proud, self-asserting, supercilious, superior, toplofty, uppish, uppity, commanding, controlling, dictating, regimental, arbitrary, high-handed, imperial, directorial, magisterial, aggressive, assertive, self-assertive, imperative, conceited, narcissistic, pompous, vain, all-powerful, almighty, omnipotent, firm, stern
    near: humble, meek, modest, unassuming, amenable, docile, obedient, tractable, indecisive, irresolute, acquiescent, compliant, passive, resigned, submissive, yielding

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Autocratic

The most common words with a similar meaning to Autocratic:

absolute, arbitrary, czarist, despotic, dictatorial, monocratic, tyrannical, tyrannous, authoritarian, authoritative, bossy, domineering, imperious, masterful, overbearing, peremptory

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Autocratic

Words with the opposite meaning of Autocratic:

limited

Related Words for Autocratic

jackbooted, oppressive, totalitarian, antidemocratic, antirepublican, high-handed, magisterial, all-powerful, almighty, omnipotent, autonomous, self-governing, self-ruling, sovereign, unconditional, unlimited, arrogant, assumptive, disdainful, fastuous, haughty, highfalutin, high-and-mighty, high-hat, huffy, important, lofty, lordly, overweening, presuming

Near Antonyms of Autocratic

circumscribed, restrained, restricted, constitutional, lawful, democratic, republican, humble, meek, modest, unassuming, amenable, docile, obedient, tractable, indecisive, irresolute, acquiescent, compliant, passive, resigned, submissive, yielding

Word Forms of Autocratic

Derived words: autocratically (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Autocratic

autocrat + -ic:1, in part after French autocratique

First known use: 1769

Frequently Asked Questions about Autocratic

What does "Autocratic" mean?

"Autocratic" means of, relating to, or being an autocracy, absolute. As an adjective, it is defined as: of, relating to, or being an autocracy, absolute. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Autocratic"?

Other words for "Autocratic" include absolute, arbitrary, czarist, despotic, dictatorial, monocratic, tyrannical and tyrannous. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Autocratic" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Autocratic"?

There are 71 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Autocratic". Common alternatives include absolute, arbitrary, czarist, despotic, dictatorial, monocratic, tyrannical, tyrannous, authoritarian and authoritative.

What is the opposite of "Autocratic"?

Antonyms of "Autocratic" include limited. Near antonyms include circumscribed, restrained, restricted and constitutional.

How do you use "Autocratic" in a sentence?

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".

Is "Autocratic" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Autocratic" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Autocratic"?

"Autocratic" is pronounced /ˌȯ-tə-ˈkra-tik/ and divided into syllables as au·to·crat·ic.

What is the origin of the word "Autocratic"?

"Autocratic" comes from autocrat + -ic:1, in part after French autocratique. First known use: 1769.