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
In fact, the tomb of the unknown pharaoh is just one of two major recent finds in the Sohag Governorate, as Ahram Online’s Nevine El-Aref points out.
—
Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025
The pharaoh, who reigned for an astonishing 66 years (1279–1213 BCE), is often regarded as one of Egypt’s greatest rulers, and his statue exudes power and authority.
—David Nikel, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Dozens of pharaohs left their mark on the site, which was built between the 12th and 20th dynasties, and researchers are still working to understand its historical significance thousands of years later.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered a pharaoh’s tomb, the first excavation of a royal burial chamber there since the discovery of Tutankhamen’s in 1922.
—Melissa Kirsch, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pharaoh
Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025
The pharaoh, who reigned for an astonishing 66 years (1279–1213 BCE), is often regarded as one of Egypt’s greatest rulers, and his statue exudes power and authority.
—David Nikel, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Dozens of pharaohs left their mark on the site, which was built between the 12th and 20th dynasties, and researchers are still working to understand its historical significance thousands of years later.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered a pharaoh’s tomb, the first excavation of a royal burial chamber there since the discovery of Tutankhamen’s in 1922.
—Melissa Kirsch, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pharaoh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pharaoh
Noun
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Even Matyas Rakosi, Hungary's most brutal communist dictator, refused to move his office here, but Orban wants to play king, so the national gallery will eventually need to be moved out of the castle to make way for him.—
Rob Schmitz,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2025
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The drawdown also comes after the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad’s regime in December.—
Ellen Mitchell,
The Hill,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Throughout Russian history, Ivan the Terrible – who among his other crimes murdered his eldest son and had the head of Russian Orthodox Church strangled for dissent – was remembered as a repulsive tyrant.—
Dina Khapaeva,
The Conversation,
22 Apr. 2025
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The sixth emperor of the famed Mughal dynasty, he is considered by many detractors to be a tyrant who brutalized women, razed Hindu temples, forced religious conversions and waged wars against Hindu and Sikh rulers.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pharaoh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pharaoh. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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