tyrannical

CEFRC1

/təˈrænəkəl/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Using power in a cruel and unfair way.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Despotic, oppressive, or authoritarian.

Examples

  • He liked to blame most of his faults and misfortunes on a tyrannical father.

  • Tyrannical governments frequently gaol their political opponents.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
3
Parts of speech
1
Citations
1
Synonyms
1

Also pronounced

  • /tiˈrænəkəl/

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meaning

  1. Of, or relating to tyranny or a tyrant.

More examples

In context

  • Tyrannical governments frequently put their political opponents in prison.

  • a tyrannical regime

  • tyrannical rulers

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The boss's blank behavior, including yelling and threatening, made employees afraid to speak up.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

From Latin tyrannicus + -al; ultimately from Ancient Greek τύραννος (túrannos) (absolute ruler, despot).