tyrannous

adjective

ˈtir-ə-nəs How to pronounce tyrannous (audio)
Definition of tyrannousnext
1
as in oppressive
exercising power or authority without interference by others studied the tyrannous rule of Stalin, communist dictator of the Soviet Union

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around my older sister is a tyrannous bore who isn't happy unless she's in charge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tyrannous These tyrannous tabbies don’t understand that canning is not exclusively for wet food. — Julie Klausner, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024 The same study posited that Fela was not the only popular musician who confronted the military and tyrannous leaders of Nigeria between independence in 1960 and Fela’s passing in 1997. — Garhe Osiebe, Quartz Africa, 21 Feb. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tyrannous
  1. oppressive
  2. authoritarian
  3. arbitrary
  4. domineering
  5. tyrannical
  6. arrogant
  7. despotic
  8. autocratic
Adjective
  • Other booths included photo opportunities dressed in traditional Colonial garb, hands-on historical exhibits and interactive displays that offered visitors a break from the oppressive heat.
    — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Due to the oppressive heat, the Phillies have adjusted operations through Thursday's game.
    — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Definition of oppressive
Adjective
  • Communism’s pure economic theory is now rarely practiced anywhere — even if ruthless leaders in hybrid capitalist economies like China and Russia have retained the authoritarian iron fists of their predecessors.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • Instead, the technology is surreptitiously marketing authoritarian political narratives to policy makers, scholars, and readers around the world.
    — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
Definition of authoritarian
Adjective
  • Every state taxes alcoholic beverages, though the tax treatment of certain alcoholic beverages may appear arbitrary.
    — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • The war period saw its own moments of threats to rights, such as suspending habeas corpus, the legal mechanism to prevent arbitrary detention.
    — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • Musk’s company has inked lucrative AI deals with Anthropic and Google and plans to be the domineering firm behind orbital data centers, which SpaceX has said could be deployed as early as 2028.
    — Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
  • Many figures within evangelicalism have promoted an aggressive, domineering, even abusive view of manhood—affixing to it, as Du Mez argues, the label biblical.
    — Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
Definition of domineering
Adjective
  • Woody and Buzz have survived sadistic neighbors, evil toys and tyrannical daycare rulers.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • This dooms the kingdom to the tyrannical rule of the villainous Priscilla (Nikki Glaser), who swoops in and snatches the throne.
    — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 23 June 2026
Definition of tyrannical
Adjective
  • West Germany, arrogant attitude adjusted, pounded Chile, 4-1.
    — David j. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
  • Lasso, in his initial introduction to audiences, wasn’t the warm, pun-loving, inspirational coach audiences would eventually embrace through Apple +, but a slightly arrogant buffoon parodying the average American sports fan.
    — Charles Moss, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • Loss of credibility leads to loss of legitimacy in a despotic regime.
    — Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • The pretence of an absolute, irresistible, despotic power, existing in every government somewhere, is incompatible with the first principle of natural right.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of despotic
Adjective
  • University students behind more than a year of protests against Vucic's increasingly autocratic rule in Serbia have been demanding early parliamentary elections for over a year but Vucic so far has refrained from setting the date.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 June 2026
  • University students behind more than a year of protests against Vucic’s increasingly autocratic rule in Serbia have been demanding early parliamentary elections for over a year, but Vucic so far has refrained from setting the date.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
Definition of autocratic

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Cite this Entry

“Tyrannous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tyrannous. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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