Merriam-Webster Logo
  • Dictionary
  • Thesaurus
  • Scrabble
  • Spanish Central
  • Learner's Dictionary




Synonyms and Antonyms of tyrannical

  1. 1 exercising power or authority without interference by others <a tyrannical ruler whose terrible reign was marked by unceasing violence> Synonyms arbitrary, autocratic (also autocratical), czarist (also tsarist or tzarist), despotic, dictatorial, monocratic, absolute (also tyrannic), tyrannousRelated Words authoritarian, jackbooted, oppressive, totalitarian; antidemocratic, antirepublican; high-handed, magisterial; domineering, imperious, masterful; all-powerful, almighty, omnipotent; autonomous, self-governing, self-ruling, sovereign (also sovran); unconditional, unlimitedNear Antonyms circumscribed, restrained, restricted; constitutional, lawful; democratic, republicanAntonyms limited

  2. 2 fond of ordering people around <even when he was still a toddler, he tended to be a tyrannical playmate> Synonyms authoritarian, authoritative, autocratic (also autocratical), despotic, dictatorial, domineering, imperious, masterful, overbearing, peremptory, bossy (also tyrannic), tyrannousRelated Words arrogant, assumptive, disdainful, fastuous, haughty, highfalutin (also hifalutin), high-and-mighty, high-hat, huffy, important, lofty, lordly, overweening, presuming, presumptuous, pretentious, proud, self-asserting, supercilious, superior, toplofty (also toploftical), uppish, uppity; commanding, controlling, dictating, regimental; arbitrary, high-handed, imperial; directorial, magisterial; aggressive, assertive, self-assertive; imperative; conceited, narcissistic, pompous, vain; all-powerful, almighty, omnipotent; firm, sternNear Antonyms humble, meek, modest, unassuming; amenable, docile, obedient, tractable; indecisive, irresolute; acquiescent, compliant, passive, resigned, submissive, yielding

Variants of tyrannical



Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up tyrannical? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).