Link Centre Dictionary

tyrannical

ty·ran·ni·cal

US/təˈrænəkəl/ rare

adjective

1.

of or relating to or associated with or resembling a dictatorship

  • “tyrannical suppression of liberty”
Synonyms
2.

marked by unjust severity or arbitrary behavior

  • “the oppressive government”
  • “oppressive laws”
  • “a tyrannical parent”
  • “tyrannous disregard of human rights”
Synonyms
Similar
3.

characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty

  • “an authoritarian regime”
  • “autocratic government”
  • “despotic rulers”
  • “a dictatorial rule that lasted for the duration of the war”
  • “a tyrannical government”
Synonyms
Similar

Origin

From Latin tyrannicus + -al; ultimately from Ancient Greek τύραννος (túrannos) (absolute ruler, despot).

Phrases

  • tyrannical sadism

Related words

Pertaining to

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.