as in ruler
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
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Recent Examples of autocrat
Visiting North Korea gives Xi another chance to show himself as an agile powerbroker able to engage a diverse cast of leaders, from the chief of the world’s most powerful democracy to an autocrat with a sanctions-defying weapons regime.
—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
In 1978, my father, Ebrahim Yazdi, supported the revolution and Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, precisely because Khomeini promised not to become an autocrat.
—
Letters To The Editor,
Washington Post,
2 June 2026
Perhaps the most radical element of republicanism was that the nation’s sovereignty would be held by its citizenry rather than by a monarch or an autocrat.
—
Tyler Green,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
Meanwhile, Turner maintained a friendly rapport with the late Cuban autocrat Fidel Castro.
—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for autocrat
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
In 1978, my father, Ebrahim Yazdi, supported the revolution and Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, precisely because Khomeini promised not to become an autocrat.
—
Letters To The Editor,
Washington Post,
2 June 2026
Perhaps the most radical element of republicanism was that the nation’s sovereignty would be held by its citizenry rather than by a monarch or an autocrat.
—
Tyler Green,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
Meanwhile, Turner maintained a friendly rapport with the late Cuban autocrat Fidel Castro.
—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for autocrat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autocrat
Noun
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Since overthrowing the Assad dynasty, Syria’s new rulers have struggled to exert control across the country and to check extremist groups.
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The aluminum venture also deepens the relationship between IHC — chaired by Abu Dhabi’s deputy ruler Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed — and billionaire Gautam Adani’s conglomerate, following IHC’s $2 billion investment in Adani companies in 2022.
Noun
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After presenting the honors at the investiture at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the monarch donned a top hat for a garden party at the palace with Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and Prince Edward.
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The royal family's most recent group outing was at the annual Trooping the Colour military parade on June 13, celebrating the official birthday of Britain's monarch, King Charles III.
Cite this Entry
“Autocrat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autocrat. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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