tyrannical
/tɪˈrænɪkl/ (bre, ipa) · [tɚˈænɪkəl] /tɪˈrænɪkl/ (ame, ipa) · [tɚˈænɪkəl] /tə-ˈra-ni-kəl How to pronounce tyrannical (audio) tī-/ (ame, mw)
tyrannical — adjective
- tyrannicalpositive
- more tyrannicalcomparative
- most tyrannicalsuperlative
1. describes a person, government, or system that uses power in a cruel and unfair
describes a person, government, or system that uses power in a cruel and unfair way, giving people no freedom to disagree or make their own choices.
Sora's tyrannical rule forced thousands of families to flee the country.
tyrannical rule — describes a cruel government leader
The CEO's tyrannical management style made everyone afraid to speak up in meetings.
tyrannical management style — describes a workplace leader
Living under a tyrannical government means losing basic freedoms like speech and assembly.
Neighbors called the landlord tyrannical for raising rents and evicting families with no warning.
After years of tyrannical leadership, the factory workers finally voted to form a union.
- oppressive
emphasises harsh and unfair control that makes people feel crushed or powerless
- dictatorial
more specific to political or leadership contexts; suggests total control with no consultation
- autocratic
focuses on a single leader holding all decision-making power
- despotic
even stronger than tyrannical; suggests cruelty combined with absolute power
- democratic
involves participation and shared decision-making rather than one-sided control
- lenient
describes someone who is gentle and forgiving with rules, not harsh in applying power
- benevolent
kind and generous in using power, concerned for others' wellbeing
用法筆記
Strongly negative and not used lightly. Describing someone as tyrannical suggests a lasting pattern of cruel, unfair behaviour — not a single harsh decision or moment of anger.