Meanings
nounaretecracy (countable and uncountable, plural aretecracies)
plural aretecracies
- countableuncountableA system of government in which candidates are required to meet prior ethical, civic, or professional qualifications before standing for election, with political authority ultimately conferred through free electoral processes.
Synonyms & antonyms
nounSynonym of aretocracy
Similar
Origin
From Ancient Greek ἀρετή (aretḗ, “virtue, excellence”) + -cracy, from κράτος (krátos, “power, rule”).
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
APA
aretecracy. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/aretecracy
MLA
“aretecracy.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/aretecracy. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “aretecracy,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/aretecracy.
Source: aretecracy on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.