What does autocratical mean?
Autocratical is an adjective describing rule or behavior characteristic of an autocrat — a single person holding absolute power who answers to no one. An autocratical government concentrates authority in one ruler, while an autocratical manager or leader makes decisions alone and tolerates no dissent. The word carries a distinctly negative connotation, evoking tyranny, repression, and the silencing of opposing voices. It functions as a fuller variant of the far more common "autocratic," which has largely displaced it in modern English; encountering "autocratical" today often signals formal, historical, or deliberately elevated prose. The term derives from Greek roots meaning "self" and "power," literally suggesting self-rule in the sense of one person answering only to themselves. Writers reach for it when they want to emphasize the domineering, unaccountable quality of a ruler, institution, or personal style — anyone who governs by decree rather than by consensus.
adjectiveRelating to or characteristic of an autocrat or autocracy; ruling with absolute power and without regard for others' will or input.
- Characteristic of an autocrat: exercising absolute, unaccountable power.
- Domineering or imperious in manner, disregarding others' opinions or consent.
"The general's autocratical style of command left no room for debate among his officers."
"The CEO's autocratical decision-making alienated even his most loyal executives."
"Critics condemned the regime's autocratical suppression of the press."
"Autocratical" means exactly what "autocratic" means — it just wears a longer coat, and dictionaries quietly prefer the shorter word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of autocratical
Autocratical comes from the Greek roots autos ("self") and kratos ("power" or "rule"), combined first into autokrates, meaning "holding power by oneself." These roots passed through Latin before entering English, where "autocrat" was borrowed in the early 19th century, largely via French, often with reference to the Russian tsar. The adjectival forms "autocratic" and "autocratical" followed shortly afterward, with the longer form conforming to the common English pattern of adjectives in -ical. Cognates sharing the auto- root include autonomy and automatic.
Related word forms
How autocratical is actually used
"Autocratical" is a legitimate but now uncommon variant of the far more frequent "autocratic." Modern usage strongly favors "autocratic," so "autocratical" may read as archaic, formal, or deliberately old-fashioned. The word carries a strongly negative connotation of unchecked power and disregard for others.
Easily confused with autocratical
Aristocratical relates to rule by a privileged noble class, whereas autocratical refers to rule by a single person with absolute power.