tyrannical

[ ti-ran-i-kuhl, tahy- ]

adjective

1. of or characteristic of a tyrant.
2. unjustly cruel, harsh, or severe; arbitrary or oppressive; despotic:

   a tyrannical ruler.

   Synonyms: domineering, imperious, dictatorial

tyrannical

/ tɪˈrænɪkəl; tɪˈrænɪk /

adjective

1. characteristic of or relating to a tyrant or to tyranny; oppressive

Derived Forms

• tyˈrannicalness, noun
• tyˈrannically, adverb

Other Words From

• ty·ranni·cal·ly adverb
• ty·ranni·cal·ness noun
• nonty·rannic adjective
• nonty·ranni·cal adjective
• nonty·ranni·cal·ly adverb
• nonty·ranni·cal·ness noun
• prety·ranni·cal adjective
• quasi-ty·ranni·cal adjective
• quasi-ty·ranni·cal·ly adverb
• unty·rannic adjective
• unty·ranni·cal adjective
• unty·ranni·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of tyrannical¹

1530–40; < Latin tyrannic ( us ) (< Greek tyrannikós, equivalent to týrann ( os ) tyrant + -ikos -ic ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

It points to their experience with artificial hierarchies, arbitrary violations of natural rights and freedoms, and abuses of political power by a tyrannical governing authority.

From Salon

In a sign of how important the race was in the fight for control of Congress, former President Clinton appeared in Orange County and urged Tran’s supporters to elect the Army veteran, noting that his win could help Democrats provide “the last guardrail against a more tyrannical government or the beginning of a new majority.”

From Los Angeles Times

Wayward farm girl Dorothy Gale has dropped into Oz by unintentionally but rather precisely dropping a house on the witch, freeing the colorful clan of Munchkins from the tyrannical scourge of a witch who took pleasure in bending them to her will.

From Salon

Way more normal than getting frothy and tyrannical about other people’s sexual and emotional lives.

From Slate

The guards became mean and tyrannical, the prisoners sad, angry and withdrawn.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• authoritarian
• autocratic
• brutal
• cruel
• dictatorial
• domineering
• overbearing
• repressive
• ruthless
• totalitarian