tyrannical
adjective
ty·ran·ni·cal
tə-ˈra-ni-kəl 
tī-
variants
or less commonly tyrannic
tə-ˈra-nik
tī-
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
Since his memorable performance on the Netflix sci-fi show, Quinn has starred alongside Lupita Nyong’o in A Quiet Place: Day One and played a tyrannical emperor in Gladiator II.
—
Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Such control isn’t intrinsically tyrannical or oppressive.
—Michael W. Clune, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Actors Jason William Webb (as tyrannical school headmistress Miss Trunchbull) and Zane Camacho and Sophia LaRosh (as Matilda’s cruel and neglectful parents Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood) are hilariously ridiculous in their roles.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025
In Jefferson’s account, this king has carried out the supreme betrayal – like tyrannical powers often do.
—Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tyrannical
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Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Such control isn’t intrinsically tyrannical or oppressive.
—Michael W. Clune, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Actors Jason William Webb (as tyrannical school headmistress Miss Trunchbull) and Zane Camacho and Sophia LaRosh (as Matilda’s cruel and neglectful parents Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood) are hilariously ridiculous in their roles.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025
In Jefferson’s account, this king has carried out the supreme betrayal – like tyrannical powers often do.
—Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tyrannical
Cite this Entry
“Tyrannical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tyrannical. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tyrannical
adjective
ty·ran·ni·cal
tə-ˈran-i-kəl
tī-
variants
also tyrannic
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a tyrant or tyranny
a tyrannical ruler
tyrannical rule
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