tyrannical

adjective

tə-ˈra-ni-kəl How to pronounce tyrannical (audio)
variants also tyrannic
Definition of tyrannicalnext
1
as in oppressive
exercising power or authority without interference by others a tyrannical ruler whose terrible reign was marked by unceasing violence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around even when he was still a toddler, he tended to be a tyrannical playmate

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 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
  1. oppressive
  2. authoritarian
  3. arbitrary
  4. domineering
  5. autocratic
  6. arrogant
  7. despotic
  8. dictatorial
Adjective
  • The trope, fair or not, has often overshadowed the fact that science fiction and horror are absolutely perfect bedfellows, with outer space's total isolation, tiny quarters, and oppressive vastness perfectly suited for the horror genre.
    — Matthew Razak, Space.com, 26 July 2026
  • Crews are working nonstop to meet Mayor Karen Bass’ mid-August deadline to clear out 85 million pounds of food that continues to rot in oppressive heat.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of oppressive
Adjective
  • This is different than the private enrichment model of typical authoritarian regimes where wealth accumulates through corruption and consists of private assets, offshore accounts, companies and family fortunes.
    — Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • But Alicia soon begins to suspect that her daughter is one of the children grotesquely stolen from the desaparecidos, dissidents disappeared by the country’s authoritarian junta, and that her husband might be in on the repugnant scheme.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 27 July 2026
Definition of authoritarian
Adjective
  • The rational response to such arbitrary power is not to satisfy consumer demands, but to keep in the good graces of the Big Player.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 27 July 2026
  • Keeping a dog leashed in bear country is not an arbitrary rule designed to ruin anyone’s fun.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • That’s a little too farcical for the moment, and the final cut lands more in a place of domineering intrigue.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026
  • His domineering physical appearance coupled with his goofy online persona have contributed to the craze.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 13 July 2026
Definition of domineering
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
  • Odysseus is a complex character known for being brilliant and crafty, but also being somewhat of an arrogant trickster.
    — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
  • Under normal conditions, someone who’s bossy or pushy can come across as arrogant and annoying.
    — Matthew Pittman, The Conversation, 17 July 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
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

typing
tyrannical
tyrannically
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tyrannical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tyrannical. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on tyrannical

Nglish: Translation of tyrannical for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All