as in dictator
a person who uses power or authority in a cruel, unjust, or harmful way
like some pharaoh of a third-world country, more interested in building monuments to himself than in creating a future for his people
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Recent Examples of pharaoh
Archaeologists have unearthed the huge tomb of an unknown pharaoh at an Egyptian necropolis, a team of researchers said on Thursday, in the second discovery of a king’s tomb this year.
—
Alan Yuhas, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
An ancient temple that belonged to an Old Testament pharaoh is being restored by archaeologists in Egypt.
—Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025
Any resemblance between the struggles of a visionary who designs buildings for 20th century pharaohs and that of a modern-day filmmaker aiming for brilliance in an industry in thrall to the bottom line is, of course, not a coincidence.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2024
The ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun was buried in a tomb filled with treasure.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pharaoh
Alan Yuhas, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
An ancient temple that belonged to an Old Testament pharaoh is being restored by archaeologists in Egypt.
—Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025
Any resemblance between the struggles of a visionary who designs buildings for 20th century pharaohs and that of a modern-day filmmaker aiming for brilliance in an industry in thrall to the bottom line is, of course, not a coincidence.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2024
The ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun was buried in a tomb filled with treasure.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pharaoh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pharaoh
Noun
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Syrian rebels overthrew dictator Bashar al Assad in December.—
Tom Perry,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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Libya has been embroiled in a political conflict since long-time dictator Moammar Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011, leading to the emergence of several armed groups.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
13 May 2025
Noun
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The Soviet dictator, the Man of Steel, was the type of tyrant that Trump chillingly admires.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2025
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Roman became too much of a tyrant to continue working with, and Jimmy turned on him for fear of being overshadowed.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pharaoh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pharaoh. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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