TYRANNOUS Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

tyrannous

adjective

ˈtir-ə-nəs

Definition of tyrannous

as in oppressive

exercising power or authority without interference by others studied the tyrannous rule of Stalin, communist dictator of the Soviet Union

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in authoritarian

fond of ordering people around my older sister is a tyrannous bore who isn't happy unless she's in charge

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 tyrannous These tyrannous tabbies don’t understand that canning is not exclusively for wet food. — Julie Klausner, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024 The same study posited that Fela was not the only popular musician who confronted the military and tyrannous leaders of Nigeria between independence in 1960 and Fela’s passing in 1997. — Garhe Osiebe, Quartz Africa, 21 Feb. 2021

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tyrannous

Adjective

Resident's death under investigation The Middlesex County District Attorney's office, as well as the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, are examining whether the oppressive heat played any role in the resident's death.

— Kristina Rex, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
The combination was as oppressive as the thermometer reading.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of oppressive

Adjective

El Sistema was founded decades before Hugo Chavez came to power in a populist revolution that quickly turned authoritarian.

— Max Feliu, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The comments express overwhelming disapproval and outrage over the idea of live-streaming a public execution, likening it to barbaric practices of authoritarian regimes and terrorist groups.

— Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of authoritarian

Adjective

The 2-1 decision rejected Anthropic's argument that the Department of Defense's ban on its Claude models was arbitrary, unauthorized and unconstitutional.

— Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
But labor campaigners said in the statement that their wage demand wasn’t arbitrary.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of arbitrary

Adjective

Sources said Gunning plays Annie, a quietly dutiful wife who has sacrificed her ambitions to raise four sons under her domineering husband, Duncan.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026
Fern proves himself as a true actor’s director, offering plum roles to Paulson, Watts and two-time Oscar winner Dianne Wiest as their chaotic and domineering mother.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of domineering

Adjective

Putting your face on the passport, like forcing your name onto another President’s memorial, is a symptom of tyrannical egotism, exactly opposite to the republican premise.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
Like Lorca’s title monster, this Alba is a towering tyrannical figure.

— Bill Hirschman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of tyrannical

Adjective

Ever-sensible Elinor, who never asks for much, has already met, and fallen for, Edward Ferrars (George MacKay), Fanny’s brother, as kind and modest as Fanny is arrogant.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Hal and Kate, having misread Trowbridge’s shock and dismay at the tragic death of Austin Dennison as a worse-than-usual bit of arrogant posturing, switch to Bad Cop mode.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

Any transgression of new standards of speech and behavior could put someone at risk of social banishment, in the truly despotic shape of cancellation.

— Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
The comedy of errors that follows as Ina attempts to solve the nation’s problems, from traffic congestion to energy crisis, doubles as a critique of the despotic regime and the tumult of living in such hellish times.

— Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of despotic

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tyrannous

tyranny

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“Tyrannous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tyrannous. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tyrannous

adjective

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