Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing
Autocrat
noun
/ AW-tuh-krat /
Medium
Meaning
A ruler who holds absolute power, often used pejoratively for leaders who concentrate authority and bypass institutional checks.
Origin / Etymology
From Greek 'autokrates' — 'autos' (self) + 'kratos' (power, rule). Literally 'self-ruler'.
Synonyms
Despot
Dictator
Tyrant
Antonyms
Democrat
Constitutionalist
Example Sentence
"Critics of unilateral US designations of Latin American criminal organisations as FTOs warn that the practice mirrors autocrat playbooks of weaponising security-state language for political ends."
🎯 UPSC Usage
GS2 IR / Polity: Use sparingly and accurately — autocrats vs democratically-elected strongmen, autocratic regression, democratic backsliding. Pair with comparative regime types.
Relevant Subjects
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