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.
Four years on, the two-hander captures the real-life bureaucratic chaos and legal limbo that have followed. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026 That left the bureaucratic challenge of communicating this fact to the relevant stakeholders. — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026 But like many institutions, these research centers have suffered from mission creep and bureaucratic accretion. — Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026 The Republican in California’s gubernatorial race is pledging to launch an office that would take on bureaucratic roadblocks to live entertainment and community events — featuring a title that is clearly designed to grab attention. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 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 7 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

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