1 bureaucratese | Definition of bureaucratese

bureaucratese

noun
bu·​reau·​crat·​ese | \ ˌbyu̇r-ə-(ˌ)kra-ˈtēz How to pronounce bureaucratese (audio) , -ˈtēs, ˌbyər-\

Definition of bureaucratese

: a style of language held to be characteristic of bureaucrats and marked by abstractions, jargon, euphemisms, and circumlocutions

Examples of bureaucratese in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As reporter Alfonso Chardy noted at the time, the facility’s mental health treatment center—known in placid bureaucratese as the Krome Transitional Unit (KTU)—had never before been shown to the media. — Ken Silverstein, The New Republic, "Shock Corridor," 19 Aug. 2019 In that sense, the beige tone of Mr. Mueller’s report — that desiccating bureaucratese denying the events their juice and soundbite-ability — is something of a radical act in this day and age. — James Poniewozik, New York Times, "Review: ‘The Investigation’ Makes the Mueller Report a Dark-Comic Indictment," 25 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bureaucratese.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of bureaucratese

1942, in the meaning defined above

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with bureaucratese