bureaucratic

adjective

bu·​reau·​crat·​ic ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkra-tik How to pronounce bureaucratic (audio)
ˌbyər-
Synonyms of bureaucraticnext
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a bureaucracy or a bureaucrat
bureaucratic government
a bureaucratic organization
bureaucratic procedures
bureaucratically adverb

Examples of bureaucratic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Administrative red tape stifles growth Beyond direct financial costs, small business owners are struggling with a sudden increase in bureaucratic red tape. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Dec. 2025 Donner, the director of the Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, said administrative and bureaucratic inefficiencies within the prison system also slow down releases and keep people in prison longer than is necessary. Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025 Firefighters have worked, or tried to work, given bureaucratic and other hurdles, with drones for years, but mainly for reconnaissance, says Bob Roper, a senior wildfire advisor for the Western Fire Chiefs Association. IEEE Spectrum, 24 Dec. 2025 From painting the most famous person in the world, truly infamous, then turning into this space in the heart of New York, which is the story of the immigrant within this bureaucratic building. Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 19 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bureaucratic

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French bureaucratique, from bureaucrate bureaucrat or bureaucratie bureaucracy + -ique -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bureaucratic was in 1800

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bureaucratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bureaucratic. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

bureaucratic

adjective
bu·​reau·​crat·​ic ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkrat-ik How to pronounce bureaucratic (audio)
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a bureaucracy or bureaucrat
bureaucratically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on bureaucratic

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