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
The tyrannical emperor connected with Atari to debut his 9-foot-tall, multi-piece suit.
—
Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2025
Since his memorable performance on the Netflix sci-fi show, Quinn has starred alongside Lupita Nyong’o in A Quiet Place: Day One and played a tyrannical emperor in Gladiator II.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Such control isn’t intrinsically tyrannical or oppressive.
—Michael W. Clune, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Actors Jason William Webb (as tyrannical school headmistress Miss Trunchbull) and Zane Camacho and Sophia LaRosh (as Matilda’s cruel and neglectful parents Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood) are hilariously ridiculous in their roles.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tyrannical
Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2025
Since his memorable performance on the Netflix sci-fi show, Quinn has starred alongside Lupita Nyong’o in A Quiet Place: Day One and played a tyrannical emperor in Gladiator II.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Such control isn’t intrinsically tyrannical or oppressive.
—Michael W. Clune, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Actors Jason William Webb (as tyrannical school headmistress Miss Trunchbull) and Zane Camacho and Sophia LaRosh (as Matilda’s cruel and neglectful parents Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood) are hilariously ridiculous in their roles.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tyrannical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tyrannical
Adjective
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Forceful change to address an oppressive boardroom dynamic may be necessary.—
Michael Peregrine,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
The oppressive heat certainly affected spectators and stadium staff.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Avoid being domineering, but also avoid being stepped on by someone else.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 July 2025
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My Mom Died is a heartbreaking and hilarious recounting of McCurdy’s struggles as a former child actor while dealing with her overbearing, domineering mother.—
Charley Ross,
Glamour,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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The film is filled to the brim with real people and incidents, providing an entertaining primer to explain how a former Communist country was transformed into a cutthroat capitalist regime ruled by an authoritarian modeling himself on Stalin.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
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Trump and Lake silenced an organization that began during World War II, intended as a U.S. counterbalance to authoritarian propaganda.—
Ronald J. Hansen,
AZCentral.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Yet this infectious look into the masterful brain of the single mom and former police department cleaning woman — who earned her job as an LAPD crime consultant — propelled the freshman series into one of broadcast TV's few bright spots.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
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Whether this is a real departure or a masterful storyline, the wrestling world is now buzzing.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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North Korea began sending large numbers of troops and equipment to support Russia’s war against Ukraine last year after high profile meetings between Kim and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, bringing a reclusive and autocratic Asian power into the heart of a European war.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
22 Aug. 2025
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One legendary conflict was between Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and his board, which fired him in 1985 because of his autocratic and demanding manner; 11 years later, Apple brought him back to rebuild the company.—
Harry Kraemer,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Access to justice too (something often underrated), where you can’t be killed or robbed with impunity, and where you won’t be arbitrarily deprived of your liberty or your freedom of speech by a despotic government.—
Simon Boas
July 23,
Literary Hub,
23 July 2025
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Napoleon, the pig who takes despotic control of the farm following the revolution — voiced with haughty gusto by Seth Rogen — bears an uncanny resemblance to the current occupant of the White House.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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Earlier this summer, U.S. District Judge William Young in Massachusetts sided with the challengers, calling the abrupt NIH cancellations arbitrary and discriminatory.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
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Kavanaugh was the only one to address whether the government's policy was arbitrary and capricious.—
John Timmer,
ArsTechnica,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Weaknesses: The vibes at Jerry World aren’t at their best after star edge rusher Micah Parsons requested a trade late in the offseason, adding another layer to a very public contract standoff with dictatorial owner Jerry Jones.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Aug. 2025
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Bob had to be valiant, dictatorial, curious, ever listening, wily, playful, deluded, strategic, flirtatious, fallible, political, and willing to protect and persevere against all doubters, critics, compass navigators, naysayers well intentioned or not.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tyrannical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tyrannical. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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