TYRANNICAL


Meaning of TYRANNICAL in English

tə̇ˈranə̇kəl, -nēk- also (ˈ)tīˈr- adjective

also ty·ran·nic -nik, -nēk

Etymology: tyrannic from Latin tyrannicus, from Greek tyrannikos, from tyrannos tyrant + -ikos -ic; tyrannical from Latin tyrannic us + English -al

1.

a. archaic : of, relating to, or associated with an absolute rule or ruler

b. : behaving as if an absolute ruler especially in unjust severity in government : despotic

a tyrannical administration

c. : given to oppressive, harsh, unjust, or arbitrary behavior or exercise of power

a tyrannical parent

some men become tyrannical when raised to a position of authority

2.

a. : typical of a tyrannical individual : of the kind associated with tyranny

tyrannical abuse

a tyrannical suppression of liberty

b. : tending to dominate in a stultifying or repressive manner usually by reason of inexorability or omnipresence

tyrannical tasks

tradition … more powerful, continuous, and even tyrannical — Laurence Binyon

Synonyms: see absolute

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.