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.
Universities are frequently criticized for being slow, bureaucratic, tradition-bound, or reluctant to embrace new ways of operating. — David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 The driver brings the baby to friends partying in a night club; his quandary yields existential debate in a police station, a portrait of a courthouse’s bureaucratic frenzy, and a heartrending documentary vision of an orphanage. — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 31 July 2026 The council has been, from the beginning, an arena in which the conservative bureaucratic party struggled with the attempts of foreign bishops to reassert their privilege in the Church. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 For de Belleroche, one of the organization’s greatest strengths is its ability to mobilize without the bureaucratic hurdles that often delay emergency operations. — Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 24 July 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 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of bureaucratic for Spanish Speakers

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