tyrannical
/tɪˈranɪk(ə)l
/ /tʌɪˈranɪk(ə)l/adjective
1Exercising power in a cruel or arbitrary way: a tyrannical government...
- Absolutist tyrannies are far more likely than democracies to breed absolutist tyrannical resistance groups willing to do anything to fight back.
- New Zealanders have those freedoms, which set us apart from tyrannical regimes where Governments tell people what they can and cannot do.
- So private tyrannies become tyrannical by buying up some of the trade policies of democratic governments.
Synonyms
dictatorial, despotic, autocratic, oppressive, repressive, fascistic, tyrannous, absolute, totalitarian, arbitrary, undemocratic, anti-democratic, illiberal;
authoritarian, domineering, dominating, overbearing, high-handed, imperious, bullying, harsh, strict, iron-handed, iron-fisted, severe, cruel, brutal, ruthless, unjust
rare Neronian
1.1Characteristic of tyranny; oppressive and controlling: a momentary quieting of her tyrannical appetite...
- Only their lack of a tradition of liberty has held them back by keeping them under the control of tyrannical governments.
- The second is that tyrannical oppression is a paradigmatic offense against the natural order.
- The thirteen colonies began with a defensive revolution against tyrannical oppression and they were victorious.
Derivatives
tyrannically
- Thus, Love lives in him tyrannically, in total lawlessness, resorting to violence when necessary.
- The line between adulthood and childhood used to be tyrannically drawn.
- This is true whether he's dealing with the tyrannically needy Louise, or the popular kids who torment them both at school.
Origin
Mid 16th century: from Old French tyrannique, via Latin from Greek turannikos, from turannos (see tyrant).