variants
also tyrannic
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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2
as in domineering
fond of ordering people around
even when he was still a toddler, he tended to be a tyrannical playmate
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Recent Examples of tyrannical
The story weaves from there as Lucius (Paul Mescal), the incognito son of Maximus, is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered and he is made a slave by the tyrannical twin emperors (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger) who now lead Rome.
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Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024
Fear, the emotion that predominates in Le Corbeau, seems familiar — lingering from the tyrannical Covid lockdowns, Stasi-like doxxing, denunciations, and the social antagonism endured through political partisanship.
—Armond White, National Review, 20 Nov. 2024
Safeguards against a tyrannical President could come in many forms.
—Jane E. Calvert / Made By History, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024
The actor, 28, plays Lucius in director Ridley Scott's sequel to 2000's Gladiator, picking up the story in a tyrannical Rome 16 years after Maximus (Russell Crowe) defeated the maniacal Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tyrannical 
Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024
Fear, the emotion that predominates in Le Corbeau, seems familiar — lingering from the tyrannical Covid lockdowns, Stasi-like doxxing, denunciations, and the social antagonism endured through political partisanship.
—Armond White, National Review, 20 Nov. 2024
Safeguards against a tyrannical President could come in many forms.
—Jane E. Calvert / Made By History, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024
The actor, 28, plays Lucius in director Ridley Scott's sequel to 2000's Gladiator, picking up the story in a tyrannical Rome 16 years after Maximus (Russell Crowe) defeated the maniacal Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tyrannical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tyrannical
Adjective
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The ongoing siege at the Argentine embassy in Caracas is a stark reminder of the oppressive lengths to which Nicolás Maduro’s regime will go to silence dissent.David Smolansky, National Review, 12 Dec. 2024
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But that sensibility seems especially widespread right now at the tail end of an already challenging year, and on the precipice of what is bound to be an exhausting, oppressive period.James Factora, Them, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Attitude Era succeeded on the backs of all-time greats Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, with Vince McMahon a domineering force both behind the scenes and on camera.Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
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Taurus April 20 – May 20 You might currently be motivated to stand your ground against a domineering authority figure.Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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If the impeachment is confirmed by the Constitutional Court, Yoon will become the fourth South Korean president — out of eight total — to be jailed or ousted since the nation democratized in 1987 after decades of authoritarian rule.Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024
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Meanwhile, Georgia’s relations with the EU have deteriorated sharply in recent months as Brussels has alleged that the government had resorted to authoritarian measures and adopted pro-Russian stances.Christian Edwards, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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While envisioning and creating masterful dishes for a living is a fantasy for many, this industry is one filled with barriers, including low-paying starting positions and the need to work relentlessly to stand out and break through the glass ceiling.Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
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Not only can each section be unmoored and moved depending on the current exhibit, the galleries are a masterful nod to the Setouchi Islands in the Seto Inland Sea, which the museum faces.Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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For another, even the most autocratic chief executive would have a hell of a time trying to put an American TV network out of business.Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2024
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Leadership styles can vary, from autocratic to laissez-faire, and each type sets a specific tone in the workplace.Kate Wieczorek, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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In just a few days last week, the loose coalition of resistance fighters ended a cruel tyrannical dynastic rein in Syria as Russia and Iran were too distracted to bring air cover to their ally, the despotic President al-Assad.Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
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Yet over the weekend, suddenly, and to much of the world's surprise, the despotic regime of the al-Assad family fell and Assad himself, with his wife and children, escaped to Moscow, where he was granted political asylum.Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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During a dinner banquet later the same day, Belousov said the two countries’ strategic partnership was crucial to defend their sovereignty from aggression and the arbitrary actions of imperialists, North Korean state media said.Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024
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After Leung's sentencing, the U.S. recommended -- though without citing specific cases -- that Americans reconsider traveling to China because of arbitrary law enforcement and exit bans and the risk of wrongful detentions.Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 28 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Park, the next authoritarian president who ruled for 18 years, was shot dead in 1979 by his own intelligence chief, unleashing an era of turmoil and brutal dictatorial rule that left an indelible mark on the nation’s political psyche.Nectar Gan, CNN, 4 Dec. 2024
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Winston Smith, the main character, only vaguely remembers the days before Big Brother assumed dictatorial power, when Airstrip One was still called England or Britain.Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 15 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near tyrannical
Cite this Entry
“Tyrannical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tyrannical. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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