as in dictator
a person who uses power or authority in a cruel, unjust, or harmful way
the people universally feared the tyrant, who was notorious for his frequent use of torture
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Recent Examples of tyrant
Dignity destroyed Tacitus was especially good at describing the effect the tyrant has on the people around him.
—
David Brooks, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
The world is full of bad actors—cheats, liars, tyrants, sickos—who are, ultimately, mere human beings; at least, this was how rationality would have it.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
America desperately needs a Congress able and willing to restrain the tyrant and to impeach and remove him.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026
All that has happened is that one tyrant has overthrown another tyrant simply to grab all the other guy’s oil.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tyrant
David Brooks, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
The world is full of bad actors—cheats, liars, tyrants, sickos—who are, ultimately, mere human beings; at least, this was how rationality would have it.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
America desperately needs a Congress able and willing to restrain the tyrant and to impeach and remove him.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026
All that has happened is that one tyrant has overthrown another tyrant simply to grab all the other guy’s oil.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tyrant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tyrant
dictator
Noun
-
The only thing for the United States to negotiate with dictator Miguel Díaz-Canel is when to step down.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Its focus soon shifted to ousting dictator Slobodan Milosevic, using mass demonstrations and a general strike across the provinces to make its point.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tyrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tyrant. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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