autocrat
Unchecked power holder
An autocrat is a ruler with absolute power, unchecked by laws or other governing bodies.
The term extends to anyone who wields authority in a domineering, unilateral way: My boss is a complete autocrat—she never consults anyone.
Autocratic describes this style of rule or behavior.
Hereditary supreme ruler
- emperorMale ruler of empire
- czarAbsolute ruler or appointee
- sultanMuslim royal ruler
- pharaohAncient Egyptian ruler
king · dictator · tyrant · despot · overlord · potentate · strongman · warlord
System of governance
- juntaPost-coup ruling clique
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- oligarchyRule by few
- monocracyRule by one
one-party state · puppet state · police state · martial law · decree · edict · purge · state control
Superior influence over others
- controlAuthority to direct
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- supremacyHighest rank or power
sovereignty · hegemony · dominion · reign · absolutism · omnipotence · stranglehold · iron grip
Favoring absolute control
- totalitarianDictatorial, all-controlling regime
- despoticExercising absolute authority
- tyrannicalExercising power unjustly
- dictatorialImposing absolute control
domineering · imperious · iron-fisted · draconian · ruthless · merciless · unaccountable · absolute
Oppressive, absolute governance
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- subjugationForcing into submission
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
- brutalitySavage, merciless behavior
coercion · intimidation · cruelty · suppression · silencing · arbitrary arrest · political prisoner · exile
monarch
Hereditary supreme ruler
pharaoh · king · dictator · tyrant · despot · overlord · potentate · strongman · warlord · chieftain
regime
System of governance
- juntaPost-coup ruling clique
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- oligarchyRule by few
monocracy · one-party state · puppet state · police state · martial law · decree · edict · purge · state control · propaganda
dominance
Superior influence over others
supremacy · sovereignty · hegemony · dominion · reign · absolutism · omnipotence · stranglehold · iron grip · centralization
authoritarian
Favoring absolute control
- totalitarianDictatorial, all-controlling regime
- despoticExercising absolute authority
- tyrannicalExercising power unjustly
dictatorial · domineering · imperious · iron-fisted · draconian · ruthless · merciless · unaccountable · absolute · arbitrary
tyranny
Oppressive, absolute governance
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- subjugationForcing into submission
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
brutality · coercion · intimidation · cruelty · suppression · silencing · arbitrary arrest · political prisoner · exile · dissent
- African LeadersNelson Mandela, Haile Selassie, Idi Amin, Robert Mugabe, Muammar Gaddafi
- authorityleaders, ruler, rulers, monarch, bosses
- leadersleader, boss, leaders, bosses, chiefs
- rulersmonarch, Caesar, ruler, sovereign, emperor
- Absolutismabsolute monarch, absolute power, absolute rule, absolutism, despot
- autocratsdespot, dictator, tyrant, strongman, authoritarian
autocratdemocrat
Advocate for popular rule
republican · constitutionalist · parliamentarian · pluralist · anarchist
autocratpublic servant
Government worker serving citizens
representative · tribune · delegate · elected official · ombudsman
autocratservant leader
Leader who serves first
collaborator · facilitator · delegator · team player · empowerer
- autocratic ruleGovernance by unchecked authority