Meaning & use
autocracy
A system of government in which one person holds absolute and unrestricted political power.
See it in a sentence
Critics warned that the new constitution risked turning the country into an autocracy.
Historians study how ancient Rome shifted gradually from a republic toward autocracy.
A note on using this word
Autocracy describes the concentration of power in one ruler, distinct from oligarchy, where power rests with a small group.
Words with a similar meaning
dictatorshiptyranny
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “autocracy”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.