as in tyranny
a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power
the Magna Carta is historically important because it signified the British rejection of autocracy and constituted the first formal restraining of the power of the monarch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of autocracy
Then China would have greater freedom to support autocracies such as Russia, Iran, and North Korea in their destabilizing activities.
—
Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2024
The nation seemed to be sleepwalking toward autocracy until the sudden ascent of presidential hopeful Kamala Harris changed everything.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 20 Aug. 2024
As its divisions with Washington have deepened, Beijing has ramped up efforts to challenge US global leadership and shape an international order into one that favors China and other autocracies.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024
Applebaum argues that Western democracies must reckon with their complicity in the spread of kleptocratic autocracy through offshore banking, money laundering, business deals, and ideological support from right-wing fellow travelers.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for autocracy 
Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2024
The nation seemed to be sleepwalking toward autocracy until the sudden ascent of presidential hopeful Kamala Harris changed everything.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 20 Aug. 2024
As its divisions with Washington have deepened, Beijing has ramped up efforts to challenge US global leadership and shape an international order into one that favors China and other autocracies.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024
Applebaum argues that Western democracies must reckon with their complicity in the spread of kleptocratic autocracy through offshore banking, money laundering, business deals, and ideological support from right-wing fellow travelers.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for autocracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autocracy
Noun
-
Get Into the Holiday Spirit by Watching Mariah Carey Bake Christmas Cookies Famous for its iconic title song, 9 to 5 follows Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda as a trio of fiery secretaries who topple the tyranny of their sexist, bigoted boss (Dabney Coleman).Lauren Sanchez, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024
-
Your phone now frees you from the tyranny of the sports book as a bettor, so why not also break free of the food, beverage, viewing and creature comfort constraints?Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Most of those killed were members of the indigenous Maya population, targeted by successive military dictatorships in a reign of genocidal terror.Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 29 Dec. 2024
-
After 54 years, the Assad family’s brutal dictatorship in Syria has finally ended.Farrah Hassen, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The rival ideologies of the 20th century — fascism, nationalism, communism — had lost the battle of ideas.Ben Ansell, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024
-
From the beginning, our music has been a statement against war, oppression, fascism and violence against others.Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Although Adolf Hitler met his road to perdition, Joseph Stalin survived and extended his despotism.Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2024
-
His thug military’s attacks — and those of his thug street enforcers known as colectivos — on Venezuelans who’ve taken to the streets to protest his Gómez-ish despotism?Tim Padgett, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2024
Articles Related to autocracy
Thesaurus Entries Near autocracy
Cite this Entry
“Autocracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autocracy. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share