tyrannical

adjective

tə-ˈra-ni-kəl How to pronounce tyrannical (audio)
variants also tyrannic
Definition of tyrannicalnext
1
as in oppressive
exercising power or authority without interference by others a tyrannical ruler whose terrible reign was marked by unceasing violence

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around even when he was still a toddler, he tended to be a tyrannical playmate

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tyrannical Independence for the 13 colonies was in the interest of anyone, anywhere, who believed the only remedy for tyrannical authority was for people to govern themselves. — Michael Kazin, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026 However, to embrace his destiny Adam must become He-Man, return to his home planet, reclaim the Sword of Power and save his people from the tyrannical Skeletor. — Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 1 June 2026 Joaquin Phoenix's villainous performance as the tyrannical emperor Commodus earned him an Academy Award nomination. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026 Advertisement The tax sparked fierce resistance, especially among western Pennsylvania farmers, who saw it as a sign of the federal government's tyrannical bent, and organized protests that escalated into the tarring and feathering of tax collectors. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tyrannical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tyrannical
  1. oppressive
  2. authoritarian
  3. arbitrary
  4. domineering
  5. autocratic
  6. arrogant
  7. despotic
  8. dictatorial
Adjective
  • Other booths included photo opportunities dressed in traditional Colonial garb, hands-on historical exhibits and interactive displays that offered visitors a break from the oppressive heat.
    — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Due to the oppressive heat, the Phillies have adjusted operations through Thursday's game.
    — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Definition of oppressive
Adjective
  • Communism’s pure economic theory is now rarely practiced anywhere — even if ruthless leaders in hybrid capitalist economies like China and Russia have retained the authoritarian iron fists of their predecessors.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • Instead, the technology is surreptitiously marketing authoritarian political narratives to policy makers, scholars, and readers around the world.
    — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
Definition of authoritarian
Adjective
  • Every state taxes alcoholic beverages, though the tax treatment of certain alcoholic beverages may appear arbitrary.
    — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • The war period saw its own moments of threats to rights, such as suspending habeas corpus, the legal mechanism to prevent arbitrary detention.
    — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • Musk’s company has inked lucrative AI deals with Anthropic and Google and plans to be the domineering firm behind orbital data centers, which SpaceX has said could be deployed as early as 2028.
    — Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
  • Many figures within evangelicalism have promoted an aggressive, domineering, even abusive view of manhood—affixing to it, as Du Mez argues, the label biblical.
    — Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
Definition of domineering
Adjective
  • University students behind more than a year of protests against Vucic's increasingly autocratic rule in Serbia have been demanding early parliamentary elections for over a year but Vucic so far has refrained from setting the date.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 June 2026
  • University students behind more than a year of protests against Vucic’s increasingly autocratic rule in Serbia have been demanding early parliamentary elections for over a year, but Vucic so far has refrained from setting the date.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
Definition of autocratic
Adjective
  • West Germany, arrogant attitude adjusted, pounded Chile, 4-1.
    — David j. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
  • Lasso, in his initial introduction to audiences, wasn’t the warm, pun-loving, inspirational coach audiences would eventually embrace through Apple +, but a slightly arrogant buffoon parodying the average American sports fan.
    — Charles Moss, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • Loss of credibility leads to loss of legitimacy in a despotic regime.
    — Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • The pretence of an absolute, irresistible, despotic power, existing in every government somewhere, is incompatible with the first principle of natural right.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of despotic
Adjective
  • As pointed out by Cox, Zagallo was only brought in as manager in the March of 1970 after his predecessor, Saldanha, had fallen out with Brazil’s dictatorial president Emilio Medici.
    — Will Jeanes, New York Times, 20 June 2026
  • Perhaps, no seriously, this is the continuation of the overshadowing dictatorial style coming from Washington, as evidenced flowing through the Paramount takeover of CBS and the subsequent displacement of other highly qualified CBS talent.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026
Definition of dictatorial

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Cite this Entry

“Tyrannical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tyrannical. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of tyrannical for Spanish Speakers

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