variants
also tyrannic
1
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
2
as in domineering
fond of ordering people around
even when he was still a toddler, he tended to be a tyrannical playmate
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Recent Examples of tyrannical
The Wolves rose up and defeated the tyrannical FEDRA, forcing them to abandon the quarantine zone.
—
Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
That film focused on the 10th annual Hunger Games, which takes place decades before Snow becomes the tyrannical leader of Panem.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 Apr. 2025
However, as Dunson’s leadership grows increasingly tyrannical, Matt is forced to challenge him, leading to an intense power struggle on the open frontier.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
And what can today’s resistance movements facing tyrannical regimes learn from their success?
—John Blake, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tyrannical
Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
That film focused on the 10th annual Hunger Games, which takes place decades before Snow becomes the tyrannical leader of Panem.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 Apr. 2025
However, as Dunson’s leadership grows increasingly tyrannical, Matt is forced to challenge him, leading to an intense power struggle on the open frontier.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
And what can today’s resistance movements facing tyrannical regimes learn from their success?
—John Blake, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tyrannical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tyrannical
Adjective
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For those still experiencing the oppressive heat, here are some tips for how to find your own bit of relief.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
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The oppressive heat and humidity, which have brought triple-digit temperatures across the Midwest and East Coast in recent weeks, have caused the pavement to buckle on roads in a number of states.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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My Mom Died is a heartbreaking and funny recounting of Jennette McCurdy’s struggles as a former child actor while dealing with her overbearing, domineering mother.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
1 July 2025
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The end of season 2 turned the tables on the meek Ada and domineering Agnes when Agnes lost her fortune thanks to her son Oscar (Blake Ritson) trusting the wrong people.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Defending institutions of higher education from increasingly authoritarian measures is an important way to safeguard not only academic freedom, but the legacy of 1776 as well.—
Time,
Time,
1 July 2025
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Even among authoritarian regimes, differences in values can limit cooperation.—
Leon Aron,
The Atlantic,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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This is the masterful alchemy of the Lazy CF Ranch outdoor furniture line, where utility meets heirloom-quality fine art.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
2 July 2025
-
Don’t ever doubt theater’s ability to spin a masterful tale out of unusual material.—
David Lyman,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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Without any consequences, this autocratic politician will continue to push the limits of his authority beyond the breaking point until someone forces him to stop.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
29 June 2025
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Iranian meddling in the region has provided Arab dictators such as Syria’s Bashar al-Assad with both the moral and material means to suppress dissent, crush reform, and extend their autocratic rule.—
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib,
The Atlantic,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Napoleon, the pig who takes despotic control of the farm following the revolution — voiced with haughty gusto by Seth Rogen — bears an uncanny resemblance to the current occupant of the White House.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2025
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Bernal as a despotic and at times deluded Magellan persuades the Spanish Crown to fund his bold 16th century expedition to the fabled lands of the East, only to unleash a decade of devastation wreaked by European conquistadors in the Pacific as part of colonial conquests.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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These seemingly arbitrary small items are essentially sweeteners to win over lawmakers who might quibble with the broader thrust of the legislation.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
4 July 2025
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Regardless, the court continues to find that the government's actions were arbitrary and capricious, in part because the government never bothered to define the problems that would get a grant canceled.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
3 July 2025
Adjective
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In 2023's The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the first Hunger Games prequel story, Tom Blyth portrayed a younger version of President Snow, depicted as a Hunger Games mentor who begins rising toward his eventual dictatorial role within Collins' fictional Panem. 28 Years Later is in theaters now.—
Tommy McArdle,
People.com,
21 June 2025
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Even his former closest associates now acknowledge that his political efforts have not lasted more than a few weeks or at most a few months, due to his dictatorial approach.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tyrannical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tyrannical. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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