C1adverbformalpoliticswork
US/ˌbjʊr.əˈkræt.ɪ.kəl.i/
UK/ˌbjʊə.rəˈkræt.ɪ.kəl.i/
in a way that follows many official rules, often slowly and unhelpfully
In context
The process was bureaucratically complex and took us three months.
The hospital is run bureaucratically, so simple decisions take weeks.
Their request was handled bureaucratically, with no one taking responsibility.
Words that go with bureaucratically
adverb + adjective
- bureaucratically complexGetting a visa is bureaucratically complex.
- bureaucratically slowThe system is bureaucratically slow.
- bureaucratically inefficientThe agency was bureaucratically inefficient.
verb + adverb
- operate bureaucraticallyLarge ministries often operate bureaucratically.
- handle bureaucraticallyThe complaint was handled bureaucratically.