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Meaning & use

bureaucrats

noun·Advanceddisapproving

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UK/ˈbjʊərəkræts/
US/ˈbjʊrəkræts/

“bureaucrats” is a form of “bureaucrat”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. nounplural

    Officials who work in a large organization, especially a government, and follow fixed rules.

    Grammar: This is the plural form; use 'bureaucrat' for one person. Often used with 'the' to mean officials in general.

    Patterns

    • government bureaucrats
    • a group of bureaucrats

    The new law aims to reduce the power of government bureaucrats.

    Bureaucrats in the department processed the applications slowly.

    She complained that faceless bureaucrats were making decisions for local people.

  2. nounpluraldisapproving

    People who insist on strict rules and paperwork, often seen as unhelpful.

    Grammar: Used disapprovingly to criticize people who care more about rules than about people.

    Patterns

    • a bunch of bureaucrats
    • the bureaucrats in charge

    We spent weeks dealing with bureaucrats who demanded the same form three times.

    The hospital is run by bureaucrats who have never treated a patient.

    Local business owners say bureaucrats are strangling them with regulations.

Word forms

singularbureaucrat

Common combinations

government bureaucrats
Government bureaucrats drafted the new policy without public input.
faceless bureaucrats
Voters are angry at faceless bureaucrats in the capital.
a swarm of bureaucrats
A swarm of bureaucrats arrived to inspect the factory.
career bureaucrats
Career bureaucrats often stay in their jobs for decades.

Synonyms and how they differ

officials
A neutral word for people in authority; it does not carry the negative tone of 'bureaucrats'.
administrators
Focuses on people who manage organizations; it sounds more neutral and professional.
civil servants
A neutral term for government employees; 'bureaucrats' often criticizes them.

Word family

bureaucracy noun
A system of official rules and procedures, often seen as too complicated.
bureaucratic adjective
Relating to rigid rules and official procedures.
bureaucratically adverb
In a way that follows official rules strictly.

Commonly confused: bureaucrats or bureaucracy?

bureaucrats vs bureaucracy

This is the system or organization, not the people. 'Bureaucrats' are the officials who work in it.

Practice

The mayor promised to cut red tape and give more power to local people, not to ____ in the capital.

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