TYRANNIC Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

tyrannical

adjective

tə-ˈra-ni-kəl

variants also tyrannic

Definition of tyrannical

as in oppressive

exercising power or authority without interference by others a tyrannical ruler whose terrible reign was marked by unceasing violence

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in authoritarian

fond of ordering people around even when he was still a toddler, he tended to be a tyrannical playmate

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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 tyrannical Independence for the 13 colonies was in the interest of anyone, anywhere, who believed the only remedy for tyrannical authority was for people to govern themselves. — Michael Kazin, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026 However, to embrace his destiny Adam must become He-Man, return to his home planet, reclaim the Sword of Power and save his people from the tyrannical Skeletor. — Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 1 June 2026 And intrusion by Sacramento lawmakers is nothing short of tyrannical. — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 30 May 2026 Advertisement The tax sparked fierce resistance, especially among western Pennsylvania farmers, who saw it as a sign of the federal government's tyrannical bent, and organized protests that escalated into the tarring and feathering of tax collectors. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tyrannical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tyrannical

Adjective

Underneath a sky of wildfire smoke and haze, the teams played through four hydration breaks, injury stoppages, oppressive summer heat and a patchy pitch.

— Meg Linehan, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Tenet is a collection of Nolan’s most frustrating habits cranked to 11 — from an oppressive soundscape that eclipses dialogue, to stylish yet flat characters, to a narrative that’s confusingly twisty to the point of contortion.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026

Definition of oppressive

Adjective

Socialism is an expansive term, applicable both to Scandinavian social democracies with strong private sectors and to authoritarian Communist regimes.

— James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
The data shows that democracies are overrepresented at the World Cup and also tend to do better than authoritarian nations – but does that matter?

— John A. Tures, Fortune, 19 July 2026

Definition of authoritarian

Adjective

In previous work, Sarkar and his colleagues developed a method capable of self-testing arbitrary quantum states and measurements.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026
Retirement experts caution, though, that any arbitrary savings goal is of limited use, more a guidepost than a hard target.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 18 July 2026

Definition of arbitrary

Adjective

My answer focuses on the role of autocratic political elites – that is, the party officials, military officers and other regime insiders who control the state.

— José Kaire, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
His government has promised political and economic reform after decades of autocratic rule of the Assad family, which ended when former President Bashar Assad was ousted in an insurgent offensive in December 2024 led by al-Sharaa.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026

Definition of autocratic

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

As pointed out by Cox, Zagallo was only brought in as manager in the March of 1970 after his predecessor, Saldanha, had fallen out with Brazil’s dictatorial president Emilio Medici.

— Will Jeanes, New York Times, 20 June 2026
Perhaps, no seriously, this is the continuation of the overshadowing dictatorial style coming from Washington, as evidenced flowing through the Paramount takeover of CBS and the subsequent displacement of other highly qualified CBS talent.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026

Definition of dictatorial

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“Tyrannical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tyrannical. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tyrannical

adjective

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