If you describe someone as tyrannical, you mean that they are severe or unfair towards the people that they have authority over.
He killed his tyrannical father with a blow to the head.
His behavior grew more unpredictable by the day, and increasingly tyrannical.
Synonyms: oppressive, cruel, authoritarian, dictatorial More Synonyms of tyrannical
2. adjective
If you describe a government or organization as tyrannical, you mean that it acts without considering the wishes of its people and treats them cruelly or unfairly.
...one of the world's most oppressive and tyrannical regimes.
tyrannical in British English
(tɪˈrænɪkəl) or tyrannic (tɪˈrænɪk)
adjective
characteristic of or relating to a tyrant or to tyranny; oppressive
Derived forms
tyrannically (tyˈrannically)
adverb
tyrannicalness (tyˈrannicalness)
noun
tyrannical in American English
(təˈrænɪkəl; tɪˈrænɪkəl; taɪˈrænɪkəl)
adjective
1.
of or suited to a tyrant; arbitrary; despotic
2.
harsh, cruel, unjust, oppressive, etc.
Also tyˈrannic
Derived forms
tyrannically (tyˈrannically)
adverb
Word origin
L tyrannicus < Gr tyrannikos
Examples of 'tyrannical' in a sentence
tyrannical
Could she have been saved if her mother had died years ago, suddenly, instead of lingering as a demanding, tyrannical invalid?
Murray, Stephen DEATH AND TRANSFIGURATION (2001)
One sign of his lack of the tyrannical gene was that he could not beat Dr Kepepwe at tennis.
Aldiss, Brian SOMEWHERE EAST OF LIFE (2001)
No tyrannical law of the father, no crushing weight of deadening regulations.
Appiganesi, Lisa DREAMS OF INNOCENCE (2001)
"You, my lord, are the most arrogant, overbearing, high-handed, tyrannical, dictatorial despot it has ever been my misfortune to meet.
Stephanie Laurens DEVIL'S BRIDE (2001)
(adjective)
Definition
of or like a tyrant
Tyrannical dictators rarely last for long.
Synonyms
oppressive
The new laws will be as oppressive as those they replace.
cruel
authoritarian
There was a coup to restore authoritarian rule.
dictatorial
a dictatorial management style
severe
This was a dreadful crime and a severe sentence is necessary.
absolute
the doctrine of absolute monarchy
unreasonable
arbitrary
the arbitrary power of the autocratic state
unjust
autocratic
They have grown intolerant of his autocratic ways.
inhuman
coercive
imperious
She gave him a witheringly imperious look.
domineering
They are not domineering parents.
overbearing
an arrogant and overbearing man
magisterial
despotic
The country was ruled by a despotic tyrant.
high-handed
He wants to be seen as less bossy and high-handed.
peremptory
He treated his colleagues in a peremptory manner.
overweening
his overweening arrogance and pride
tyrannous
Opposites
understanding
,
democratic
,
liberal
,
reasonable
,
tolerant
,
easy-going
,
lax
,
lenient
Additional synonyms
in the sense of absolute
the doctrine of absolute monarchy
Synonyms
autocratic,
supreme,
unlimited,
autonomous,
arbitrary,
dictatorial,
all-powerful,
imperious,
domineering,
tyrannical,
despotic,
absolutist,
tyrannous,
autarchical
in the sense of arbitrary
Definition
without consideration for the wishes of others
the arbitrary power of the autocratic state
Synonyms
dictatorial,
absolute,
unlimited,
uncontrolled,
autocratic,
dogmatic,
imperious,
domineering,
unrestrained,
overbearing,
tyrannical,
summary,
magisterial,
despotic,
high-handed,
peremptory,
tyrannous
in the sense of authoritarian
Definition
insisting on strict obedience to authority
There was a coup to restore authoritarian rule.
Synonyms
strict,
severe,
absolute,
harsh,
rigid,
autocratic,
dictatorial,
dogmatic,
imperious,
domineering,
unyielding,
tyrannical,
disciplinarian,
despotic,
doctrinaire
Nearby words of
tyrannical
typhoon
typical
typify
tyrannical
tyrannize
tyranny
tyrant
Synonyms of 'tyrannical'
tyrannical
Explore 'tyrannical' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of autocratic
They have grown intolerant of his autocratic ways.
Synonyms
dictatorial,
absolute,
unlimited,
all-powerful,
imperious,
domineering,
tyrannical,
despotic,
tyrannous
in the sense of despotic
The country was ruled by a despotic tyrant.
Synonyms
tyrannical,
authoritarian,
dictatorial,
absolute,
arrogant,
oppressive,
autocratic,
imperious,
domineering,
monocratic
in the sense of dictatorial
Definition
tyrannical
a dictatorial management style
Synonyms
domineering,
authoritarian,
oppressive,
bossy (informal),
imperious,
overbearing,
magisterial,
iron-handed,
dogmatical
in the sense of domineering
Definition
acting arrogantly or tyrannically
They are not domineering parents.
Synonyms
overbearing,
arrogant,
authoritarian,
oppressive,
autocratic,
masterful,
dictatorial,
coercive,
bossy (informal),
imperious,
tyrannical,
magisterial,
despotic,
high-handed,
iron-handed
in the sense of high-handed
Definition
using authority in an unnecessarily forceful way
He wants to be seen as less bossy and high-handed.
Synonyms
dictatorial,
domineering,
overbearing,
arbitrary,
oppressive,
autocratic,
bossy (informal),
imperious,
tyrannical,
despotic,
peremptory
in the sense of imperious
Definition
used to being obeyed
She gave him a witheringly imperious look.
Synonyms
domineering,
dictatorial,
bossy (informal),
haughty,
lordly,
commanding,
arrogant,
authoritative,
autocratic,
overbearing,
tyrannical,
magisterial,
despotic,
high-handed,
overweening,
tyrannous
in the sense of overbearing
Definition
imposing one's views in an unpleasant or forceful manner
an arrogant and overbearing man
Synonyms
domineering,
lordly,
superior,
arrogant,
authoritarian,
oppressive,
autocratic,
masterful,
dictatorial,
coercive,
bossy (informal),
imperious,
haughty,
tyrannical,
magisterial,
despotic,
high-handed,
peremptory,
supercilious,
officious,
overweening,
iron-handed
in the sense of overweening
his overweening arrogance and pride
Synonyms
arrogant,
lordly,
proud,
vain,
swaggering,
pompous,
cocky,
conceited,
blustering,
imperious,
self-confident,
overbearing,
haughty,
opinionated,
egotistical,
disdainful,
presumptuous,
high-handed,
insolent,
supercilious,
high and mighty (informal),
cocksure,
vainglorious,
uppish (British, informal)
in the sense of peremptory
Definition
urgent or commanding
He treated his colleagues in a peremptory manner.
Synonyms
imperious,
arbitrary,
assertive,
authoritative,
autocratic,
dictatorial,
dogmatic,
bossy (informal),
intolerant,
domineering,
overbearing,
high-handed
in the sense of severe
Definition
strict or harsh in the treatment of others
This was a dreadful crime and a severe sentence is necessary.