autocratic
Ruling without consent
Autocratic describes rule by a single person with absolute power, or behavior that resembles such rule.
An autocratic government concentrates authority in one leader who tolerates no opposition.
The word extends to anyone who acts domineering or dictatorial: an autocratic boss, an autocratic management style.
The tone is almost always critical—autocratic leaders don't consult others or share decision-making.
Favoring absolute control
- totalitarianDictatorial, all-controlling regime
- undemocraticOpposed to majority rule
- illiberalOpposed to individual freedoms
- repressiveTending to suppress
oppressive · coercive · draconian · iron-fisted · heavy-handed · high-handed · rigid · inflexible
Aggressively asserting control
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
- imperiousArrogantly authoritative
- bossyToo fond of directing others
- controllingExerting authority over others
commanding · masterful · assertive · forceful · peremptory · bullying · intimidating · pushy
Ruler with total control
- despotRuler with absolute power
- tyrantCruel, absolute ruler
- strongmanPowerful lifter or despot
- monarchHereditary supreme ruler
emperor · czar · tsar · sultan · pharaoh · potentate · overlord · warlord
Unjust exercise of power
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- subjugationForcing into submission
- dominationSupreme authority held
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
suppression · coercion · intimidation · brutality · cruelty · terror · injustice · silencing
Total, without qualification
- unlimitedWithout bounds or restrictions
- unrestrictedHaving no limitations
- unfetteredFree from restriction
- unquestionedAccepted without challenge
undivided · unconditional · supreme · sovereign · plenary · unshared · complete · total
Unchecked single-ruler government
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
- authoritarianismConcentrated, unchecked governmental power
oligarchy · junta · one-party · single-party · absolutism · monocracy
authoritarian
Favoring absolute control
- totalitarianDictatorial, all-controlling regime
- undemocraticOpposed to majority rule
- illiberalOpposed to individual freedoms
repressive · oppressive · coercive · draconian · iron-fisted · heavy-handed · high-handed · rigid · inflexible · unyielding
domineering
Aggressively asserting control
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
- imperiousArrogantly authoritative
- bossyToo fond of directing others
controlling · commanding · masterful · assertive · forceful · peremptory · bullying · intimidating · pushy · presumptuous
dictator
Ruler with total control
monarch · emperor · czar · tsar · sultan · pharaoh · potentate · overlord · warlord · caliph
oppression
Unjust exercise of power
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- subjugationForcing into submission
- dominationSupreme authority held
persecution · suppression · coercion · intimidation · brutality · cruelty · terror · injustice · silencing · censorship
absolute
Total, without qualification
- unlimitedWithout bounds or restrictions
- unrestrictedHaving no limitations
- unfetteredFree from restriction
unquestioned · undivided · unconditional · supreme · sovereign · plenary · unshared · complete · total · unilateral
dictatorship
Unchecked single-ruler government
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
authoritarianism · oligarchy · junta · one-party · single-party · absolutism · monocracy
- oppressivestifling, suffocating, smothering, crushing, repressive
- work stylescollaborative, hierarchical, agile, flexible, structured
- managementmanagers, management, executives, boss, supervisors
- bossy traitsdomineering, overbearing, pushy, demanding, controlling
- organizational structureorg chart, hierarchy, chain of command, divisional, functional
- thinking stylesanalytical, creative thinker, critical thinker, rational, critical
autocraticdemocratic
Government by the people
republican · participatory · egalitarian · representative · pluralistic
autocraticcollaborative
Involving shared effort
consultative · participative · empowering · delegating · hands-off
autocraticconstitutional
Health-promoting walk
limited · restrained · accountable · lawful · circumscribed
- autocratic ruleGovernance by unchecked authority