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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 notes

In plain EnglishBehaving like a cruel, all-controlling ruler or boss.

Common pairings
a tyrannical regime a tyrannical boss

Word forms

more tyrannical comparative, most tyrannical superlative

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Test yourself on “tyrannical” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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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.

Origin: Latin

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.

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