tyrannical

adjective

ty·​ran·​ni·​cal tə-ˈra-ni-kəl How to pronounce tyrannical (audio)
tī-
variants or less commonly tyrannic
: being or characteristic of a tyrant or tyranny : despotic
tyrannical rule
a tyrannical ruler
tyrannically adverb
tyrannicalness noun

Examples of tyrannical in a Sentence

Everyone was afraid of their overbearing and tyrannical boss. a tyrannical ruler whose terrible reign was marked by unceasing violence
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The forthcoming Sunrise on the Reaping follows Collins' fourth book The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which explored the early world of Coriolanus Snow — who later went on to become the infamous, tyrannical president of Panem. Staff Author, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025 King Saran Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) will portray the tyrannical king who is also Amari and Inan's father. EW.com, 22 Jan. 2025 Despite these achievements, many scholars believe the king deserves his tyrannical reputation. Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Jan. 2025 More important, in much of the country, the federal government was seen as ineffective and corrupt, or even tyrannical. Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for tyrannical 

Word History

Etymology

Latin tyrannicus, from Greek tyrannikos, from tyrannos tyrant

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tyrannical was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near tyrannical

Cite this Entry

“Tyrannical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tyrannical. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

tyrannical

adjective
ty·​ran·​ni·​cal tə-ˈran-i-kəl How to pronounce tyrannical (audio)
tī-
variants also tyrannic
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a tyrant or tyranny
a tyrannical ruler
tyrannical rule
tyrannically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on tyrannical

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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