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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Plan Your Trip Charleston, South Carolina The Holy City may be blanketed in humidity in the height of summer, but Charlestonians have figured out all the best ways to deal with the oppressive air.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2025
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Yet history provides no shortage of examples of human courage, even under the most oppressive circumstances.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 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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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
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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
Adjective
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The song is punctuated with a dizzying guitar solo, a reflection of the album’s masterful instrumentation that feels connected to the sprawling guitar work of Mk.gee, another shadowy pop force.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2025
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Ron Howard, a legendary filmmaker, delivers a masterful vision at the peak of his craft.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Venezuela’s autocratic demagogue held a 2007 referendum to re-write the Constitution.—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2025
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Venezuelans have been living under the autocratic regime of Nicolás Maduro for more than a decade amid runaway inflation, worsening poverty and widespread political persecution, according to the Washington Office on Latin America., a progressive think tank in Washington, D.C.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In contrast, land powers were often portrayed as despotic and militaristic.—
Colin Flint,
The Conversation,
25 Mar. 2025
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It was first created in 1942 specifically to serve as a foil to Axis disinformation and over the years became a beacon of hope to people living under all manner of totalitarian and despotic governments.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 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 13 Apr. 2025.
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