BUREAUCRATIC Synonyms: 15 Similar and Opposite Words

bureaucratic

adjective

Definition of bureaucratic

as in governmental

of, relating to, or like a nonelective government official or body of government officials a bureaucratic institution bureaucratic procedures

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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.

Recent Examples of bureaucratic Benefits continuity is therefore not just a bureaucratic detail. — Jeff Berry, STAT, 21 Aug. 2026 Gloria said that while the city faces budget constraints and bureaucratic hurdles, San Diego is still committed to ending homelessness through a housing-first strategy. — Trevor Morgan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 Lawsuits, bureaucratic battles, boisterously divisive council arguments and vicious social media debates have been part of Bloomfield life for years, and intensified during Danielle Wong’s contentious time as mayor. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026 Highly bureaucratic processes reminiscent of those for procurement must be replaced with more efficient ones like those in the private sector. — Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bureaucratic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bureaucratic

Adjective

The agency was a pseudo-governmental commission with no legal authority, staffed by grossly unqualified appointees, including a teenage programmer known as Big Balls.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
The National Archives and Records Administration, or NARA, is the federal agency that preserves and provides public access to the nation’s historical and governmental records.

— Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of governmental

Adjective

During a parliamentary question-and-answer session, Levon Kocharyan accused Pashinyan of pressuring the courts and law enforcement agencies to open investigations against individuals.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
At the same time, Kenya’s parliamentary finance committee wants the competition authority to implement binding safeguards for farmers, employees, suppliers, and consumers before the deal is approved.

— Martin K.N Siele, semafor.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of parliamentary

Adjective

For all the headlines of the past month, not having general manager Mike Lombardi (who’s on administrative leave) around on a game day is probably a net positive for UNC football.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The Oslo Accords, signed over thirty years ago, gave Palestinians at least administrative control of limited areas as a first step toward eventual control of the West Bank and Gaza—almost all of that twenty-two per cent of the land.

— David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of administrative

Browse Nearby Words

bureaucrateses

bureaucratic

bureaucrats

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“Bureaucratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bureaucratic. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bureaucratic

adjective

Example Sentences

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