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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tyrannical
Only the second entry in the young Thompson's filmography, Heavyweights tells the story of a group of enrollees at a weight loss camp who stage a coup against the tyrannical fitness enthusiasts who've recently seized power.
—
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2025
The most unpopular president this century is dictating tyrannical violations of the U.S. Constitution.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025
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.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
The forthcoming Sunrise on the Reaping follows Collins' fourth book The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which explored the early world of Coriolanus Snow — who later went on to become the infamous, tyrannical president of Panem.
—Staff Author, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tyrannical
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2025
The most unpopular president this century is dictating tyrannical violations of the U.S. Constitution.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025
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.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
The forthcoming Sunrise on the Reaping follows Collins' fourth book The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which explored the early world of Coriolanus Snow — who later went on to become the infamous, tyrannical president of Panem.
—Staff Author, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tyrannical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tyrannical
Adjective
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Cryptocurrency mixers can be essential tools for individuals who value privacy, including those living under oppressive regimes, journalists, whistleblowers, and businesses that require confidentiality in their transactions.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Coventry became the minister of sports a year after the coup that removed Mugabe in the new administration of current President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s vice president who rights groups say has continued many of Mugabe’s oppressive policies.—
Gerald Imray,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Since then, he’s portrayed a colorful collection of characters, from a domineering theater owner in Shakespeare in Love to Pirates of the Caribbean’s villain turned hero, Captain Hector Barbossa.—
airmail.news,
airmail.news,
8 Mar. 2025
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All the while, his domineering mother Bunny (played by the late Frances Sternhagen) is determined to stay the number one woman in her son's life.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Since taking office just a few weeks ago, President Trump has rapidly depleted the reservoir of America’s soft power with an authoritarian bent and astonishing speed.—
Penny Abeywardena,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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The obvious split between a democratic Taiwan and an authoritarian China is an uncontestable reality and is part of the international consensus.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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That said, a deck of cards in the hands of a masterful street magician is still really awesome, too.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
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That battle, readers of Othello might remember, plays a significant role in the play’s unfolding tragedy and Iago's masterful plan.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Furthermore, although Washington has conceived of its autocratic adversaries as a cohesive unit, almost all their cooperation has been through bilateral channels.—
Christopher S. Chivvis,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Mar. 2025
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Ukraine may not be a beacon of democracy, but today's Russian government is the definition of an autocratic regime.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Hip-hop regenerates constantly, and yet there has been an almost despotic grip on the throne(s) for some time.—
Jon Caramanica,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2024
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The notion that these companies were sovereign enclaves of pitilessly despotic geniuses is a myth of recent vintage.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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What follows is a twisted examination of motherhood and the arbitrary expectations of adulthood.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
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This is less sound economic policymaking than the arbitrary dispersal of favors.—
David B. McGarry,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Wu’s strong personality and dictatorial style have caught the attention of President Donald Trump, border czar Tom Homan and Attorney General Pam Bondi.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
15 Mar. 2025
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Nothing unconstitutional or dictatorial about that.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tyrannical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tyrannical. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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