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Synonyms

democratic

American  
[dem-uh-krat-ik] / ˌdɛm əˈkræt ɪk /
Also democratical

adjective

  1. pertaining to or of the nature of democracy or a democracy.

  2. pertaining to or characterized by the principle of political or social equality for all.

    democratic treatment.

  3. advocating or upholding democracy.

  4. (initial capital letter)

    1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Democratic Party.

    2. of, relating to, or belonging to the Democratic-Republican Party.


democratic British  
/ ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk /

adjective

  1. of, characterized by, derived from, or relating to the principles of democracy

  2. upholding or favouring democracy or the interests of the common people

  3. popular with or for the benefit of all

    democratic sports

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does democratic mean? The adjective democratic is used to describe something that operates under or or resembles democracy, a form of government in which the citizens hold the power.Usually, the word democratic is used to describe political systems, governments, or countries that use such systems. It can also be used to describe voting systems, philosophies, or strategies that rely on a majority vote or that allow everyone to give their opinion.When capitalized, Democratic is used in the name of the Democratic Party, one of the major political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party.Example: The United States of America practices a democratic form of government where citizens vote on issues and elect politicians by majority vote.

Other Word Forms

  • antidemocratic adjective
  • antidemocratical adjective
  • antidemocratically adverb
  • democratically adverb
  • half-democratic adjective
  • hyperdemocratic adjective
  • nondemocratic adjective
  • nondemocratical adjective
  • nondemocratically adverb
  • predemocratic adjective
  • prodemocratic adjective
  • pseudo-Democratic adjective
  • pseudodemocratic adjective
  • pseudodemocratically adverb
  • quasi-democratic adjective
  • quasi-democratically adverb
  • superdemocratic adjective
  • superdemocratically adverb
  • undemocratic adjective
  • undemocratically adverb

Etymology

Origin of democratic

1595–1605; < French démocratique or Medieval Latin dēmocraticus, both < Greek dēmokratikós, equivalent to dēmokrat ( ía ) ( democracy ) + -ikos -ic

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.

"That's not necessarily a good thing for a country where democratic experience has been turbulent."

From Barron's

With midterm elections approaching, local TV news is a vital conduit for political candidates and the democratic process.

From The Wall Street Journal

Embassy posted online an upbeat video of showing Dogu entering the mission, meeting with Venezuelans and outlining plans for what she calls a “friendly, stable, prosperous and democratic” Venezuela.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, he is looking to reactivate one of his nonprofit’s programs that brings Venezuelan students to the U.S. to learn about democratic systems.

From The Wall Street Journal

I have been asking myself what’s happened to the optimistic, pragmatic and proudly democratic country that took me in 80 years ago.

From The Wall Street Journal