Word
tyrannical
Phoneticstyran·ni·cal
US/tɝˈænɪkəɫ/
UK/tɪɹˈænɪkəl/
Definition
adj. describing a leader or person who is very strict, cruel, and does not care about other people's feelings.
adj. characterised by the exercise of absolute power in a cruel or oppressive manner. Often used to describe leadership styles or personal behaviour that disregards the rights and dignity of others.
Examples
“The manager's tyrannical behavior made the office atmosphere very unpleasant.”
“The new law was seen as tyrannical by many citizens who felt their basic rights were being ignored.”
“Historians often debate whether the ruler's tyrannical policies were a calculated strategy for maintaining control or a genuine lack of empathy for his subjects.”
Examples
simple
“The manager's tyrannical behavior made the office atmosphere very unpleasant.”
contextual
“The new law was seen as tyrannical by many citizens who felt their basic rights were being ignored.”
complex
“Historians often debate whether the ruler's tyrannical policies were a calculated strategy for maintaining control or a genuine lack of empathy for his subjects.”
Real-World Examples
“His haunting 2020 debut, Some Kind of Heaven , was set in a Florida retirement community where happiness becomes oppressive and tyrannical.” “Actors walk off, burst into tears and throw punches; a zombie extra accidentally sets himself on fire; and bilious co-director and Troma boss Lloyd Kaufman proves both lackadaisical and tyrannical.” “Far from the tyrannical robots and human batteries seen in sci-fi, the real problem we might have to contend with is an epidemic of purposelessness.” Etymology
From Latin tyrannicus + -al; ultimately from Ancient Greek τύραννος (túrannos) (absolute ruler, despot).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/tyrannical