as in officials
a worker in a government agency
the bureaucrats at the town hall seem to think that we need a building permit to build a tree house
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Recent Examples of bureaucrats
The Empire is full of bickering bureaucrats, which is fun to watch though bad for getting the Death Star done in a timely manner, and Darth Vader power walks into scenes that both undermine his icon status yet also cement it.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 May 2026
The system may also be more efficient, as more money goes directly to the people who need it rather than bureaucrats or nonprofit workers.
—Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 19 May 2026
If its many bureaucrats cannot successfully pick economic winners, neither can presidential appointees.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 19 May 2026
Congress should focus on lowering health care costs and expanding access in ways that help patients first, not big insurance companies or bureaucrats.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
At scale, the petty-minded bureaucrats implementing an agenda to sanitize American history, and to erase or suppress political dissent, have committed and will continue to commit a great deal of mischief.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
The free market allows discovery of best ways to inhibit and punish undesirable behavior — ways politicians and bureaucrats could never discover.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Their search for additional protagonists eventually led them to Dana Vitkovska, a Ukrainian transgender multidisciplinary artist living in Warsaw, whose journey to construct her identity on her own terms sets her at odds with Polish bureaucrats.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 7 May 2026
Local communities, not federal bureaucrats, deciding what enters their own marketplace is not a radical idea.
—Jesse Plunkett, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 May 2026
The system may also be more efficient, as more money goes directly to the people who need it rather than bureaucrats or nonprofit workers.
—Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 19 May 2026
If its many bureaucrats cannot successfully pick economic winners, neither can presidential appointees.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 19 May 2026
Congress should focus on lowering health care costs and expanding access in ways that help patients first, not big insurance companies or bureaucrats.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
At scale, the petty-minded bureaucrats implementing an agenda to sanitize American history, and to erase or suppress political dissent, have committed and will continue to commit a great deal of mischief.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
The free market allows discovery of best ways to inhibit and punish undesirable behavior — ways politicians and bureaucrats could never discover.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Their search for additional protagonists eventually led them to Dana Vitkovska, a Ukrainian transgender multidisciplinary artist living in Warsaw, whose journey to construct her identity on her own terms sets her at odds with Polish bureaucrats.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 7 May 2026
Local communities, not federal bureaucrats, deciding what enters their own marketplace is not a radical idea.
—Jesse Plunkett, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bureaucrats
Noun
-
Flanked by several clergy members of various denominations, Dolan, 76, thanked his former colleagues, as well as civic and community officials, before praising Jesus Christ for his lengthy career in the church.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
California officials have flatly refused.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The addition is expected to expand access to around 125 more students and 30 employees over seven years.—
Kate Perez,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
The closure will affect 205 employees at the New Britain Facility, Gravalec wrote.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Over the strenuous objection of fellow Democrats and many Republicans — including Peters’ prosecutor and a majority of Colorado’s election clerks — Polis commuted her sentence, clearing the way for Peters’ parole on June 1 after less than two years in prison.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
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The crimes of the executed have included the slayings of wives and children, store clerks and strangers.—
Erik Ortiz,
NBC news,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Just as Adolf Eichmann and Albert Speer portrayed themselves not as true believers but as mere functionaries, so Vadim presents himself to Lawrence as a master of method, not of principle.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
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More than funding, though, is needed transparency by IDNR functionaries with marina boaters and Winthrop Harbor officials.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
While teachers unions have gotten the most attention, the law also affects many other public sector unions, including those that represent bus drivers, janitors, cafeteria workers and maintenance workers.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
24 May 2026
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As workers and retirees decide where to live, states that have low tax and regulatory burdens, targeted relief, and stronger budget discipline tend to gain residents, income, and reduce costs for families.—
Nicole Huyer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bureaucrats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bureaucrats. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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