autarchy

1 of 2

noun (1)

au·​tar·​chy ˈȯ-ˌtär-kē How to pronounce autarchy (audio)
Synonyms of autarchynext
: autarky

autarchy

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural autarchies
: absolute sovereignty : autocracy
autarch
ˈȯ-ˌtärk How to pronounce autarchy (audio)
noun

Synonyms of autarchy

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Noun (2)

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Examples of autarchy in a Sentence

Noun (2) having just thrown off the yoke of Great Britain, the American Founding Fathers were adamantly opposed to establishing some form of homegrown autarchy

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

by confusion with -archy

Noun (2)

borrowed from New Latin autarchia, from Greek aútarkhos "absolute ruler" (from aut- aut- + -arkhos -arch entry 1) + -ia -y entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1617, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1665, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of autarchy was in 1617

Rhymes for autarchy

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Browse Nearby Words

Autarchoglossa
autarchy
autarkic
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Cite this Entry

“Autarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autarchy. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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