1. Members of a political party or government bureaucracy, especially in a communist system, who follow orders without question and are more concerned with maintaining power than with principles.
Usage: Plural of apparatchik; Often used critically or pejoratively; Originally from Russian political context but now used more broadly

Examples

• The apparatchiks in the government ministry simply implemented whatever policies their superiors ordered.
• Critics accused the party apparatchiks of caring more about their careers than about serving the public.
• During the Cold War, Soviet apparatchiks maintained strict control over all state institutions.
• The apparatchiks resisted any reform that might threaten their positions of power.
• She refused to become one of the apparatchiks, choosing instead to speak her mind openly.
• The apparatchiks followed the party line without deviation or independent thought.