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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tyrannical
The original Caligari, in which a mysterious doctor and his fortune-telling somnambulist commit a series of murders and drive two young people to madness, is often regarded as a critique of Germans’ blind obedience to tyrannical authority during the First World War.
—
Elle Carroll, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024
Young Leo is plucked from another world to lead the fight against the tyrannical villains who have kept the 10 realms under their control.
—Marc Berman, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
The film follows Lucius, played by Mescal, who is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home in Rome is taken over by tyrannical rulers.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 19 Nov. 2024
What’s more, Rose engages in tyrannical behavior, causing June to flee and later exploiting Louise and thrusting her into the burlesque business against her will.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tyrannical 
Elle Carroll, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024
Young Leo is plucked from another world to lead the fight against the tyrannical villains who have kept the 10 realms under their control.
—Marc Berman, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
The film follows Lucius, played by Mescal, who is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home in Rome is taken over by tyrannical rulers.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 19 Nov. 2024
What’s more, Rose engages in tyrannical behavior, causing June to flee and later exploiting Louise and thrusting her into the burlesque business against her will.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tyrannical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tyrannical
Adjective
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Jimmy Garoppolo profited from exposure to 49ers’ system The Commanders, thankfully shorn of the oppressive incompetence of former owner Daniel Snyder, were remade in a year by G.M. Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn.—
Jerry McDonald,
The Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2025
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The book, taking the form of a fable told in short, single paragraphs, scattershot swatches of wisdom, aphorisms and illustrations, has long been a manual for how to practice togetherness in the face of extreme, oppressive opposition.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The only thing left to contend with is her domineering mother, the formidable 90-year-old Lenore Simmons Krackenberry, who is obsessed with family lineage and Southern heritage.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
7 Jan. 2025
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Smith is fantastic and terrifying as Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden, the stentorian nurse and housekeeper whose domineering overcautiousness feeds into all the self-pitying inclinations of her poor weakling charge Colin Craven.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
27 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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In this paradigm, the ideal worker is less like a corporate ally or a trusted collaborator and more like a subject of an authoritarian regime.—
Anna Wiener,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
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Over the past decade, during which the authoritarian Law and Justice party has ruled in Poland, the Centre has served as a staunch defender of independent research.—
Natalia Romik / Madę by History,
TIME,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As a global hub of graffiti art, the entire London landscape is scattered with masterful murals.—
Brad Japhe,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Jan. 2025
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Image Image In contrast, this masterful Zegna collection, designed by Alessandro Sartori, Zegna’s longstanding artistic director, demanded close inspection and a good bit of attention.—
Jacob Gallagher,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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For instance, a study examining various leadership styles found that transformational leadership positively correlates with enhanced organizational performance, while transactional and autocratic styles may have less favorable effects.—
Scott Hutcheson,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
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The other is going to build authoritarian, autocratic AI.—
Micah McCartney,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But Valery, despite his lack of power in a despotic system, is able to help others, and finds a way to not just survive his pain but also live with its lasting effects.—
Vanessa Armstrong,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2025
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Assad's fall is a globally resonant message that such despotic regimes cannot endure indefinitely.—
Paul du Quenoy,
Newsweek,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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To Danes and pretty much anyone else who makes plans, signs treaties, or creates long-term strategies using rational arguments, this way of making policy feels arbitrary, pointless, even surreal.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
18 Jan. 2025
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Proposals to provide striking workers with unemployment benefits and set arbitrary regulations for warehouse workers threaten Connecticut’s economic future.—
Frank Ricci,
National Review,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Though Yoon rescinded the decree after just six hours, the martial law imposition was the first of its kind in South Korea in more than 40 years and evoked painful memories of past dictatorial rules in the 1960s-80s.—
Danielle Wallace,
Fox News,
26 Jan. 2025
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World Gone, the Assads Jay Nordlinger On the rise and fall of Syria’s dictatorial dynasty.—
Daniel Foster,
National Review,
23 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near tyrannical
Cite this Entry
“Tyrannical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tyrannical. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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