Definition

1. Noun:
   • A political theory favoring unlimited authority by a single individual: A system of thought or ideology that supports the concentration of absolute power in one person.
   • A political system governed by a single individual: A form of government where one person possesses supreme, unrestricted, and often arbitrary power.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The country transitioned from a democracy to an autocracy after the military coup.
  • Historians often study the rise and fall of autocracy in ancient empires.
  • His political philosophy was a clear defense of autocracy.

Advanced Usage

• "To live under an autocracy": To be subject to a government ruled by a single, absolute leader.
  • For decades, the citizens lived under a harsh autocracy.
• "The autocracy of the workplace": Used metaphorically to describe a situation where one person has complete, unchallenged control in a non-political context.
  • Employees complained about the manager's autocracy, where no dissent was tolerated.

Variants and Related Words

• Autocrat (n): The ruler who holds absolute power in an autocracy.
  • The autocrat made all decisions without consulting anyone.
• Autocratic (adj): Relating to or characteristic of an autocracy or an autocrat; domineering.
  • His autocratic style of leadership left no room for discussion.

Synonyms

• Dictatorship: A form of government where a single leader has absolute power, often acquired and maintained by force.
• Absolutism: A political doctrine or system of unlimited, centralized authority and absolute sovereignty.
• Tyranny: Cruel and oppressive government or rule, often by a single leader.

Antonyms

• Democracy: A system of government where power is vested in the people, exercised directly or through elected representatives.
• Republic: A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "The iron fist of autocracy": A phrase describing the harsh, unyielding, and oppressive nature of autocratic rule.
  • The revolution aimed to break free from the iron fist of autocracy.

Noun

1. a political theory favoring unlimited authority by a single individual
2. a political system governed by a single individual