Word
autocracy
Phoneticsau·toc·ra·cy, stress on the second syllable
US/ɔˈtɑkɹəsi/
UK/ɔːtˈɒkɹəsˌi/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a system where one person holds all the power and makes all the important decisions without sharing control.
n. a system of government in which supreme power is concentrated in a single ruler or authority ruling without effective constitutional limits. Frequently contrasted with democracy and constitutional rule.
Examples
“The country lives under an autocracy with one ruler.”
“After the coup, the general replaced parliament with an autocracy that bans free press.”
“Scholars argue that modern autocracy often survives not only through force but through controlled elections that create an appearance of choice.”
Examples
simple
“The country lives under an autocracy with one ruler.”
contextual
“After the coup, the general replaced parliament with an autocracy that bans free press.”
complex
“Scholars argue that modern autocracy often survives not only through force but through controlled elections that create an appearance of choice.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “autocracy” in context.
Verb
01. autocracy collapses
“When funding dries up, autocracy collapses quickly.”
noun + verb
02. autocracy persists
“Despite sanctions, autocracy persists across the border.”
noun + verb
03. autocracy thrives
“Where institutions are weak, autocracy thrives.”
noun + verb
04. dismantle autocracy
“Reformers promised to dismantle autocracy and restore free elections.”
verb + noun
05. live under autocracy
“Millions still live under autocracy without basic freedoms.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
06. absolute autocracy
“The country shifted from monarchy to absolute autocracy.”
adj + noun
07. corrupt autocracy
“A corrupt autocracy diverted oil revenues to the ruling family.”
adj + noun
08. entrenched autocracy
“Decades of censorship have preserved an entrenched autocracy.”
adj + noun
09. repressive autocracy
“Journalists face imprisonment in this repressive autocracy.”
adj + noun
10. dismantle an entrenched autocracy
“It took a decade to dismantle an entrenched autocracy.”
11. live under a repressive autocracy
“They lived under a repressive autocracy for twenty years.”
12. prop up a corrupt autocracy
“Foreign loans helped prop up a corrupt autocracy.”
Real-World Examples
“Instead, Hamas thugs set up an Iranian-style theocratic autocracy, with the express aim of destroying Israel and killing its Jewish population.” “Countries that slide from democracy toward autocracy tend to follow similar patterns.” “Democracy is not a crime and autocracy is the real "evil", Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Monday after China threatened to impose the death penalty in extreme cases for "diehard" Taiwan independence separatists.” “Biden has repeatedly warned that Trump is a threat to democracy, and that a second Trump term could usher in an unprecedented and dangerous age of American autocracy.” Etymology
From auto- + -cracy, from Ancient Greek αὐτοκρατία (autokratía, “A system of government by one person with absolute power.”), from αὐτός (autós, “single, self, same, alone”) + κράτος (krátos, “power”) + -ία (-ía, “feminine abstract nouns suffix”); see also Ancient Greek αὐτοκρατής (autokratḗs, “one who governs alone”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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