tyrannical

tyrannical
/ti ran"i keuhl, tuy-/, adj.
1. of or characteristic of a tyrant.
2. unjustly cruel, harsh, or severe; arbitrary or oppressive; despotic: a tyrannical ruler.
Also, tyrannic.
[1530-40; < L tyrannic(us) ( < Gk tyrannikós, equiv. to týrann(os) TYRANT + -ikos -IC) + -AL1]
Syn. 2. dictatorial; imperious, domineering.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • tyrannical — 1530s; see TYRANNY (Cf. tyranny) + ICAL (Cf. ical). Tyrannic was used in this sense from late 15c …   Etymology dictionary

  • tyrannical — tyrannical, tyrannous despotic, arbitrary, *absolute, autocratic Analogous words: *dictatorial, authoritarian, magisterial: *totalitarian, authoritarian: domineering, imperious, *masterful …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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  • tyrannical — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ exercising power in a cruel or arbitrary way. DERIVATIVES tyrannically adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • tyrannical — [tə ran′i kəl, tiran′i kəl, tīran′i kəl] adj. [L tyrannicus < Gr tyrannikos] 1. of or suited to a tyrant; arbitrary; despotic 2. harsh, cruel, unjust, oppressive, etc.: Also tyrannic tyrannically adv …   English World dictionary

  • Tyrannical — Tyrannic Ty*ran nic (?; 277), Tyrannical Ty*ran nic*al, a. [L. tyrannicus, Gr. ?: cf. F. tyrannique. See {Tyrant}.] Of or pertaining to a tyrant; suiting a tyrant; unjustly severe in government; absolute; imperious; despotic; cruel; arbitrary; as …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tyrannical — [[t]tɪræ̱nɪk(ə)l[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED If you describe someone as tyrannical, you mean that they are severe or unfair towards the people that they have authority over. He killed his tyrannical father with a blow to the head... His behavior grew more …   English dictionary

  • tyrannical — adjective 1 behaving in a cruel and unfair way towards someone you have power over: a tyrannical father 2 tyrannical rules or laws etc are based on a system in which a single ruler uses their power unfairly: the tyrannical laws relating to… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • tyrannical — also tyrannic adjective Etymology: Latin tyrannicus, from Greek tyrannikos, from tyrannos tyrant Date: 15th century being or characteristic of a tyrant or tyranny ; despotic < tyrannical rule > < a tyrannical ruler > • tyrannically adverb • …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • tyrannical — ty|ran|ni|cal [tıˈrænıkəl] adj behaving in a cruel and unfair way towards someone you have power over ▪ a tyrannical parent ▪ tyrannical laws …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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