bureaucracy
a system of government or organization characterized by complex rules and a rigid hierarchy
Word origin: From French bureau (desk, office) plus Greek -kratia (rule).
Bureaucracy in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing bureaucracy in a sentence.
The small business owner found herself lost in the bureaucracy required to obtain a single permit.
Approving a single grant required navigating a bureaucracy of three committees and five signatures.
None listed.
Using “bureaucracy” well
Bureaucracy often carries a negative connotation of rigid, slow procedure, though it can neutrally name an administrative system. Context determines the tone.
More GRE words starting with B
marked by riotous, unrestrained revelry and drunken festivity
to pester or harass someone persistently
light, playful, and witty banter
to confuse or perplex thoroughly
threatening harm or menacing in a sinister way
to hesitate or refuse to proceed with something
to swell or puff out, or to increase rapidly in amount or size
lacking originality and so dull or commonplace
Questions about “bureaucracy”
See these words the way the GRE tests them.
Definitions in isolation do not stick. Sit a free, full-length GRE mock and meet this vocabulary inside real text completion and sentence equivalence questions, with your score and a worked solution for every answer.