bureaucratic

adjective

bu·​reau·​crat·​ic ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkra-tik How to pronounce bureaucratic (audio)
ˌbyər-
Synonyms of bureaucratic
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a bureaucracy or a bureaucrat
bureaucratic government
a bureaucratic organization
bureaucratic procedures
bureaucratically
ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkra-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce bureaucratic (audio)
ˌbyər-
adverb

Examples of bureaucratic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The neighborhood Governador Celso Ramos is a paradise of a peninsula hiding behind a bureaucratic-sounding name—literally a 20th-century governor. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026 Instead, Joe’s bureaucratic limbo provides a route into questions of usefulness, intimacy and belonging, combining an absurdist view of the future with a warmer, more humanist register. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 We are tasked with bureaucratic work by institutions public and private. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 Rather than wait on a turbulent regulatory environment that included FDA layoffs and bureaucratic instability, Nathan ran clinical and regulatory de-risking simultaneously. — Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bureaucratic

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French bureaucratique, from bureaucrate bureaucrat or bureaucratie bureaucracy + -ique -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bureaucratic was in 1800

Phrases Containing bureaucratic

Rhymes for bureaucratic

See All Rhymes for bureaucratic

Browse Nearby Words

bureaucratese
bureaucratic
bureaucratise
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bureaucratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bureaucratic. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bureaucratic

adjective
bu·​reau·​crat·​ic ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkrat-ik How to pronounce bureaucratic (audio)
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a bureaucracy or bureaucrat
bureaucratically
-ˈkrat-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce bureaucratic (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on bureaucratic

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bureaucratic

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