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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tyrannical
It is imperiled by a tyrannical president, a cowardly Congress and a remorseless Supreme Court.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025
In later years, Washington's decision to not seek a third term was seen as a safeguard against the type of tyrannical power wielded by the British monarchy during the Colonial era.
—Allison Kiehl, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The regime’s tyrannical efforts to control and extinguish their savings were futile against their newfound freedom money.
—Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
In the sequel, Atwood focuses on how tyrannical regimes destroy themselves.
—EW.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tyrannical
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025
In later years, Washington's decision to not seek a third term was seen as a safeguard against the type of tyrannical power wielded by the British monarchy during the Colonial era.
—Allison Kiehl, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The regime’s tyrannical efforts to control and extinguish their savings were futile against their newfound freedom money.
—Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
In the sequel, Atwood focuses on how tyrannical regimes destroy themselves.
—EW.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tyrannical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tyrannical
Adjective
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Since seizing control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the group has implemented a string of oppressive measures against women and girls, even cracking down on the sound of women’s voices in public.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
8 July 2025
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Others reject the portrayal of federal actions as oppressive, suggesting deployments like those in Los Angeles prioritize national security and immigration enforcement.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 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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Whether Trump's death quelled or accelerated authoritarian forces remains an open question.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
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All of these factors and their contribution to alienation can foster authoritarian beliefs and individualism.—
Nathan Meyers,
The Conversation,
11 July 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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The Big Beautiful Bill is supposed to revitalize our economy, but the president who asked for it is destroying that economy with his erratic, uninformed and ill-judged dictatorial outbursts.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
13 July 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Tyrannical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tyrannical. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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