autocrat

[aw-tuh-krat]

noun

1. an absolute ruler, especially a monarch who holds and exercises the powers of government as by inherent right, not subject to restrictions.

2. a person invested with or claiming to exercise absolute authority.

3. a person who behaves in an authoritarian manner; a domineering person.

autocrat

/ ˈɔːtəˌkræt /

noun

1. a ruler who possesses absolute and unrestricted authority

2. a domineering or dictatorial person

Word History and Origins

Origin of autocrat¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; from Greek autokratḗs “self-ruling, ruling alone,” from auto- auto- ¹ + krát(os) “power” + -ēs, adjective suffix

Example Sentences

Our analysts looked at the “indicators” we would see, overseas, when an autocrat rises and begins to take power, and what they saw was that those indicators are happening here.

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After all, a majority of the countries in that 11-member group — Russia, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — are presided over by autocrats.

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That’s been tried, and instead autocrats take over and crush dissent, boots on throats.

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Every autocrat begins by silencing their country’s artists — because laughter is the enemy of fear.

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The success of any autocrat lies in their ability to mesmerize their supporters and mentally paralyze the resistance.

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Related Words

• despot 
• tyrant