Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for red tape. Search instead for redskapens.
Definitions

red tape

NOUN
bureaucratic rules
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bureaucracy
WEAK
authority bureaucratic paperwork city hall government management official forms official procedures officialdom officialism paper shuffling powers that be proper channels regulatory commission the Establishment the system

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In San Francisco, Lurie has enjoyed high approval ratings and amassed a social-media following with his relentless boosterism and focus on cleaning up and cutting red tape.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The government said it hopes to speed up decision making by stripping away "outdated regulations and overlapping consultations" as part of cuts to red tape.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

In California, state legislators are debating how to protect residents and natural resources without creating so much red tape that developers go elsewhere, taking their jobs and taxable earnings with them.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

Lam has implemented dramatic changes in nearly two years at the helm, slashing bureaucratic red tape and pushing major infrastructure investments as he aims to boost economic growth.

From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026

I can't remember ever in my life seeing red tape.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan