Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Exercising power in a cruel and oppressive way; characteristic of a tyrant: Describes a person, government, or system that uses absolute power unjustly and harshly to control others.
   • Marked by unjust severity or arbitrary behavior: Describes actions or rules that are extremely severe, unfair, and based on personal whim rather than law or justice.

Usage Examples

• Describing a ruler or government:
  • The country suffered for decades under a tyrannical dictator.
  • The citizens rebelled against the tyrannical regime.
• Describing a person's behavior:
  • He was a tyrannical boss who demanded absolute obedience.
  • Her tyrannical parenting style left the children fearful.

Advanced Usage

• "Tyrannical rule": A period of government characterized by oppressive and absolute control.
  • The revolution aimed to overthrow decades of tyrannical rule.
• "Tyrannical tendencies": Inclinations or behaviors that are characteristic of a tyrant.
  • Even as a manager, he showed tyrannical tendencies.

Variants and Related Words

• Tyrant (n): A cruel and oppressive ruler.
  • The tyrant was eventually exiled.
• Tyrannously (adv): In a tyrannical manner.
  • The king ruled tyrannously for years.
• Tyrannize (v): To rule or treat someone with cruel and oppressive power.
  • The conqueror sought to tyrannize the local population.

Synonyms

• Despotic: Exercising power in a cruel and arbitrary way.
• Autocratic: Taking no account of other people's wishes or opinions; domineering.
• Dictatorial: Of or typical of a ruler with total power; overbearing.
• Oppressive: Unjustly inflicting hardship and constraint.

Antonyms

• Democratic: Relating to or supporting democracy or its principles.
• Benevolent: Well meaning and kindly.
• Liberal: Favorable to or respectful of individual rights and freedoms.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Tyranny of the majority: A situation in which the majority of an electorate can and does exercise its power to the detriment of a minority.
  • The founders feared the potential for a tyranny of the majority.
• Petty tyrant: A person who exercises authority in a domineering, controlling way over a small sphere.
  • The office manager was a petty tyrant obsessed with trivial rules.

Adjective

1. 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
2. marked by unjust severity or arbitrary behavior
   • the oppressive government
   • oppressive laws
   • a tyrannical parent
   • tyrannous disregard of human rights