as in rulers
one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority
European autocrats once commonly believed that they had received the right to rule directly from God
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of autocrats
Even as long-reigning autocrats such as Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are removed from power, the outlook for the global state of democracy remains highly uncertain.
—
Yana Gorokhovskaia, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2026
Trump’s attacks may have raised some doubts in China that Xi’s backing of autocrats is wise.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
These autocrats have watched and learned as Erdoğan has scapegoated various rival groups in his country, branding them shadowy forces unleashed by the American philanthropist George Soros.
—Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
The book examines the worst acts of autocrats and tyrannical leaders dating back centuries.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
The central question is whether the rise of autocrats is reversible.
—Max Hastings, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
The strategic logic mirrors survival patterns of past regional autocrats.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
One of the biggest changes in the past three decades is the rise of the support network that autocrats and would-be autocrats now enjoy.
—Nic Cheeseman, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
His latest book, Slow Poison, focuses on the making of the Ugandan state post British colonialism and the two autocrats that largely shaped it.
—Leila Fadel, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025
Yana Gorokhovskaia, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2026
Trump’s attacks may have raised some doubts in China that Xi’s backing of autocrats is wise.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
These autocrats have watched and learned as Erdoğan has scapegoated various rival groups in his country, branding them shadowy forces unleashed by the American philanthropist George Soros.
—Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
The book examines the worst acts of autocrats and tyrannical leaders dating back centuries.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
The central question is whether the rise of autocrats is reversible.
—Max Hastings, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
The strategic logic mirrors survival patterns of past regional autocrats.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
One of the biggest changes in the past three decades is the rise of the support network that autocrats and would-be autocrats now enjoy.
—Nic Cheeseman, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
His latest book, Slow Poison, focuses on the making of the Ugandan state post British colonialism and the two autocrats that largely shaped it.
—Leila Fadel, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autocrats
Noun
-
Singh died in 1839, and the Punjabi throne faced frequent changing of rulers for four years until Duleep Singh, a young boy, and his mother, Rani Jindan were left to take over.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The ensuing rulers, the Joseon monarchy, did their predecessors one better.—
Lori Waxman,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Officials recently unveiled the discovery of an 11th-century wax seal belonging to one of the most influential monarchs in English history.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Continental Legacy features comforting meals that India’s monarchs would have served their visiting guests from the continent, going from a Velouté de Morilles to an English trifle pudding.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Autocrats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autocrats. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
