red tape
noun
: official routine or procedure marked by excessive complexity which results in delay or inaction
bureaucratic red tape
… enterprisers that show how people across the Nation are coping (or not coping) with such problems as unemployment, the budget deficit and Government red tape.—
John Weisman
John Weisman… pompous officials (often lowly clerks) in love with red tape who delight in obstructing the expedition of what should be simple procedures.—Norman W. Schur
Norman W. SchurInitial plans became irretrievably mired in the red tape of building permissions.—Bella Pollen
Bella PollenTheir plan is simple enough and none too glamorous: create a Web site to help people cut through red tape; i.e., pay for parking tickets and so on.—Sarah Kerr
Sarah KerrExamples of red tape in a Sentence
You would not believe the red tape involved in getting the required permits.
Recent Examples on the Web
Higgins said her solution is to speed up permitting by slashing red tape — both for these types of large, city projects and for home and business owners trying to install resilient upgrades.
—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
So why is the new commissioner on these calls having to navigate red tape?
—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
30 June 2026
The nonprofit blames the lack of progress on government red tape and diminishing federal funding to provide subsidies and incentives.
—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
The story is based on Mabel Grammer, an African American journalist and army wife who adopted 12 children herself and navigated complex red tape to save hundreds more.
—
Literary Hub,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for red tape
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Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
So why is the new commissioner on these calls having to navigate red tape?
—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
30 June 2026
The nonprofit blames the lack of progress on government red tape and diminishing federal funding to provide subsidies and incentives.
—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
The story is based on Mabel Grammer, an African American journalist and army wife who adopted 12 children herself and navigated complex red tape to save hundreds more.
—
Literary Hub,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for red tape
Cite this Entry
“Red tape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red%20tape. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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