adj
tyrannical
tuh-RA-nuh-kuhl
Tyrannical (adj) means acting like a tyrant; harshly and unfairly controlling. Example: “The tyrannical manager fired anyone who questioned his decisions.”
adj
1
Acting like a tyrant; harshly and unfairly controlling.
"The tyrannical manager fired anyone who questioned his decisions."
"History remembers him as a tyrannical ruler who crushed all opposition."
How to use tyrannical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBehaving like a cruel, all-controlling ruler or boss.
Common pairings
a tyrannical regime
a tyrannical boss
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more tyrannical
- Superlative
- most tyrannical
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ manager fired anyone who questioned his decisions.
Etymology
From Latin tyrannicus, based on the Greek word for an absolute ruler or despot.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for tyrannical
See all rhymes for tyrannical →Frequently asked questions
What does “tyrannical” mean?
The word “tyrannical” means acting like a tyrant; harshly and unfairly controlling. In plain terms, behaving like a cruel, all-controlling ruler or boss.
How do you pronounce “tyrannical”?
“Tyrannical” is pronounced tuh-RA-nuh-kuhl (/təˈrænəkəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “tyrannical” in a sentence?
Here is “tyrannical” used in a sentence: “The tyrannical manager fired anyone who questioned his decisions.”
What is another word for “tyrannical”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tyrannical” include bossy.
What part of speech is “tyrannical”?
“Tyrannical” is an adjective.
Where does the word “tyrannical” come from?
The word “tyrannical” comes from Latin. From Latin tyrannicus, based on the Greek word for an absolute ruler or despot.
