Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
overcentralized

overcentralized

7.0
Too much control in one place that limits local choices
  • adjective
  • /ˌoʊvərˈsɛntrəˌlaɪzd/
  • Formal
translation icon : sobrecentralizado
  • In an overcentralized system, decisions are made by a small number of officials rather than by local representatives.

Examples

  • The World Bank critique is standard: overcentralized administration, multiplicity of official agencies, and hesitant devolution to the Panchayats of poverty alleviation programs.

    Academic text (1998)

  • The postcolonial state similarly encouraged an overcentralized and greatly expanded bureaucracy.

    Academic text (1993)

  • The Soviet Union had apparently become just another overcentralized state.

    Academic text (1990)

  • Many people criticized the government for being too overcentralized, believing that local authorities should have more power.

  • The company's overcentralized management structure made it difficult for employees to address issues promptly.

Synonyms

centralized
vsovercentralized
  • US
9 4.4

One main authority manages things from one place

has excessive control concentrated in a single place or group

Antonyms

decentralized
5.4

Power and control go to local people or offices

How Centralized

overcentralized
  • Formal
7.0
centralized
  • US
9 4.4

Surface Forms

overcentralized positive

Morphology

overcentralized = centralized (transparent) = over + central + ize + ed

Adding 'over-' to 'centralized' simply indicates an excessive degree; the prefixation is semantically regular.

Etymology

Overcentralized combines over- meaning 'too much' and central, the same root as 'center' meaning 'the middle'. So it describes a system where too much control or power is held in one place or group.