Autocracy Meaning
/ɔːˈtɒkɹəsi/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA form of government in which unlimited power is held by a single individual.
nounAn instance of this government.
Sentence Examples
Down with the police! Down with autocracy!
CEFR Practice Quiz
Under the ruler's ____, citizens had no voting rights whatsoever.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In an ____, a single individual holds absolute power over the whole state.
Word Origin & History
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”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I want to be clear: This shift toward democracy and away from autocracy is no reason to break out the “mission accomplished” banner."
— 2022 December 1, John Avlon, “Opinion: The tide is turning against autocracy”, in CNN, archived from the original on 02 Aug 2024:
"The will of the people of Ukraine to defend their democracy is a reminder that autocracies cannot ultimately overcome free people willing to defend their liberty."
— 2022 December 1, John Avlon, “Opinion: The tide is turning against autocracy”, in CNN, archived from the original on 02 Aug 2024:
"Among those who study authoritarian regimes, a consensus has emerged that [US president Donald Trump's] early moves display common characteristics of burgeoning autocracies."
— 2025 May 9, Cameron Joseph, “They’ve watched democracies fail. They see it happening under Trump.”, in The Christian Science Monitor, archived from the original on 16 Jul 2025:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Under the ruler's ____, citizens had no voting rights whatsoever.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In an ____, a single individual holds absolute power over the whole state.