autocrat
Americannoun
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an absolute ruler, especially a monarch who holds and exercises the powers of government as by inherent right, not subject to restrictions.
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a person invested with or claiming to exercise absolute authority.
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a person who behaves in an authoritarian manner; a domineering person.
noun
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a ruler who possesses absolute and unrestricted authority
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a domineering or dictatorial person
Etymology
Origin of autocrat
First recorded in 1795–1805; from Greek autokratḗs “self-ruling, ruling alone,” from auto- auto- 1 + krát(os) “power” + -ēs, adjective suffix
Explanation
An autocrat is another name for a dictator, someone who wields absolute power and uses it in a cruel and despotic manner. This is a word for cruel, oppressive dictators. Hitler and Stalin were historic autocrats. In more recent times, dictators such as Saddam Hussein and Qaddafi were autocrats. From autocrat, we get the word autocratic, for anyone behaving like a dictator. Unfortunately, through history, there have been many autocrats: leaders who didn't give their people a say in their regime and killed their enemies. You might call your boss, parent, or teacher an autocrat, but that's probably an exaggeration.
Vocabulary lists containing autocrat
To Thine Own Self Be True: Auto
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Do it Yourself: Words Beginning with "AUTO"
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Sapiens
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Stove Invitational: Each week the Autocrat selects a dish, and readers submit terrible recipes for that dish.
From Washington Post • Nov. 21, 2018
Today such sardonic defiance of an Absolute Autocrat and a Hypnotist-Monk may seem more witty than significant; but at the time it took titanic courage.
From Time Magazine Archive
Fascinated, poor Vassili Martinow watched the Autocrat of all the Russias stride dimly across the screen and enter a base hospital, where he was greeted by the Commandant.
From Time Magazine Archive
Alexander I, conqueror of Napoleon, keystone of the Holy Alliance, Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russias, was dead at 48.
From Time Magazine Archive
In renewing his old-time acquaintance with the Atlantic family circle, the Autocrat recognized the modern invention of the journalistic interviewer, and submitted some plans for his regulation, to be considered by the various local governments.
From Life of Oliver Wendell Holmes by Brown, E. E.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
