tyrannical

adjective

ty·​ran·​ni·​cal tə-ˈra-ni-kəl 

tī-

variants or less commonly tyrannic

tə-ˈra-nik 

tī-

: being or characteristic of a tyrant or tyranny : despotic

tyrannical rule

a tyrannical ruler

tyrannically

tə-ˈra-ni-k(ə-)lē 

tī-

adverb

tyrannicalness

tə-ˈra-ni-kəl-nəs 

tī-

noun

Synonyms

• absolute
• arbitrary
• autocratic
• autocratical
• czarist
• tsarist
• tzarist
• despotic
• dictatorial
• monocratic
• tyrannous

Examples of tyrannical in a Sentence

Everyone was afraid of their overbearing and tyrannical boss.

a tyrannical ruler whose terrible reign was marked by unceasing violence

Recent Examples on the Web

Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024

He’s simply replaced one tyrannical master with another. —Katie Rife, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024

The guards became mean and tyrannical, the prisoners sad, angry and withdrawn. —Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2024

Donning regal garb, bright orange hair, and wild makeup that would make the Joker proud, the two are tyrannical menaces ruling Rome with a lust for blood and very little sense. —EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin tyrannicus, from Greek tyrannikos, from tyrannos tyrant

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tyrannical

adjective

ty·​ran·​ni·​cal tə-ˈran-i-kəl 

tī-

variants also tyrannic

-ˈran-ik 

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a tyrant or tyranny

a tyrannical ruler

tyrannical rule

tyrannically

-ˈran-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb