tyrannical

ty·ran·ni·cal

adjective \tə-ˈra-ni-kəl, tī-\

Definition of TYRANNICAL

: being or characteristic of a tyrant or tyranny : despotic <tyrannical rule> <a tyrannical ruler>

— ty·ran·ni·cal·ly \-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— ty·ran·ni·cal·ness \-kəl-nəs\ noun

Variants of TYRANNICAL

ty·ran·ni·cal also ty·ran·nic \-nik\

Examples of TYRANNICAL

1. Everyone was afraid of their overbearing and tyrannical boss.
2. <a tyrannical ruler whose terrible reign was marked by unceasing violence>

Origin of TYRANNICAL

Latin tyrannicus, from Greek tyrannikos, from tyrannos tyrant

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to TYRANNICAL

Synonyms

arbitrary, autocratic (also autocratical), czarist (also tsarist or tzarist), despotic, dictatorial, monocratic, absolute (also tyrannic), tyrannous

Antonyms

limited

Related Words

authoritarian, jackbooted, oppressive, totalitarian; antidemocratic, antirepublican; high-handed, magisterial; domineering, imperious, masterful; all-powerful, almighty, omnipotent; autonomous, self-governing, self-ruling, sovereign (also sovran); unconditional, unlimited

Near Antonyms

circumscribed, restrained, restricted; constitutional, lawful; democratic, republican

Rhymes with TYRANNICAL

botanical, mechanical