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Kakistocracy: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Kakistocracy noun. Government by the least qualified or most unprincipled people available.
How to say it
kak-ih-STOK-ruh-see/ˌkakɪˈstɒkrəsi/
5 syllables, stressed on the third (STOK).
Kakistocracy in a sentence
After the residents' association lost its minutes, its treasurer and the Christmas lights, someone called it a kakistocracy.
The satirist's imaginary kingdom was a perfect kakistocracy, every minister chosen for incompetence.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- misrule
- mobocracy
- bad government
Opposite:
- aristocracy
- meritocracy
Where kakistocracy comes from
From Greek kakistos, worst, and kratos, power; first recorded in the 17th century.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The satirist's imaginary kingdom was a perfect _____, every minister chosen for incompetence.
- malfeasance
- utopia
- kakistocracy
Show the answer
kakistocracy: The satirist's imaginary kingdom was a perfect kakistocracy, every minister chosen for incompetence.