autocracy

[ aw-tok-ruh-see ]

noun

, plural au·toc·ra·cies.

1. government in which one person has uncontrolled or unlimited authority over others; the government or power of an absolute monarch.
2. a nation, state, or community ruled by an autocrat.
3. unlimited authority, power, or influence of one person in any group.

autocracy

/ ɔːˈtɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. government by an individual with unrestricted authority
2. the unrestricted authority of such an individual
3. a country, society, etc, ruled by an autocrat

autocracy

1. A system of government in which supreme political power is held by one person. ( Compare constitutional monarchy , democracy , and oligarchy .)

Notes

Iraq under Saddam Hussein is an autocracy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of autocracy¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Greek autokráteia “power over oneself, sole power,” from autokrat(ḗs) autocrat + -eia -ia

Example Sentences

Pritzker, D-Ill. and Jared Polis, D-Colo., have formed a coalition of fellow state-level executives to resist "increasing threats of autocracy" and potential power grabs by a second Donald Trump administration.

From Salon

“And together, what we’re doing is pushing back against increasing threats of autocracy and fortifying the institutions of democracy that our country and our states depend on.”

From Salon

That alone would constitute a giant step away from the rule of law and toward autocracy.

From Los Angeles Times

So far the biggest voice specifically sounding the alarm about laughing our way into autocracy has been Marc Maron, who shared a post titled “The Democratic Idea” on that same Monday.

From Salon

The choice is no choice really: It’s autocracy or Harris.

From Slate

Related Words

• despotism
• dictatorship
• oppression
• tyranny