tyrannical
Ruling through fear
Tyrannical describes the exercise of power in a cruel, oppressive, or arbitrary manner.
A tyrannical ruler governs without regard for law or the welfare of subjects.
The word extends beyond politics: a tyrannical boss micromanages and punishes capriciously, tyrannical parents control every aspect of their children's lives.
His tyrannical demands left no room for dissent.
Ruling with absolute authority
- dictatorialImposing absolute control
- totalitarianDictatorial, all-controlling regime
- despoticExercising absolute authority
- absoluteTotal, without qualification
undemocratic · monocratic · authoritarian · fascist · oligarchic · supremacist · absolutist · antidemocratic
Arrogantly dominating in manner
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- imperiousArrogantly authoritative
- bossyToo fond of directing others
- controllingExerting authority over others
commanding · high-handed · heavy-handed · peremptory · masterful · assertive · forceful · pushy
Savagely harsh or severe
- mercilessShowing no clemency
- ruthlessLacking any compassion
- pitilessLacking any compassion
- cruelWillfully causing suffering
heartless · savage · vicious · sadistic · barbarous · inhumane · callous · remorseless
Unable to bend
- unbendingRefusing to change position
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- rigidUnable to bend
- sternStrict or ship's aft
strict · iron-fisted · adamant · intolerant · implacable · unrelenting · exacting · unforgiving
Tending to suppress
- suppressiveTending to restrain
- subjugatingForcing into submission
- persecutingHarassing cruelly, often systematically
- crushingOverwhelming in intensity
smothering · stifling · suffocating · grinding · exploitative · unjust · burdensome · onerous
autocratic
Ruling with absolute authority
- dictatorialImposing absolute control
- totalitarianDictatorial, all-controlling regime
- despoticExercising absolute authority
absolute · undemocratic · monocratic · authoritarian · fascist · oligarchic · supremacist · absolutist · antidemocratic · illiberal
overbearing
Arrogantly dominating in manner
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- imperiousArrogantly authoritative
- bossyToo fond of directing others
controlling · commanding · high-handed · heavy-handed · peremptory · masterful · assertive · forceful · pushy · bullying
brutal
Savagely harsh or severe
cruel · heartless · savage · vicious · sadistic · barbarous · inhumane · callous · remorseless · cold-blooded
inflexible
Unable to bend
- unbendingRefusing to change position
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- rigidUnable to bend
stern · strict · iron-fisted · adamant · intolerant · implacable · unrelenting · exacting · unforgiving · inexorable
repressive
Tending to suppress
- suppressiveTending to restrain
- subjugatingForcing into submission
- persecutingHarassing cruelly, often systematically
crushing · smothering · stifling · suffocating · grinding · exploitative · unjust · burdensome · onerous · harsh
despot
Ruler with absolute power
overlord · strongman · warlord · usurper · potentate · generalissimo · caudillo · pharaoh · tsar · sultan
- unfairnessunfair, unjust, biased, unequal, inequitable
- oppressivestifling, suffocating, smothering, crushing, repressive
- tyrannydespot, dictator, autocracy, despotism, oppressor
- politicalconservative, liberal, moderate, centrist, leftist
- bossy traitsdomineering, overbearing, pushy, demanding, controlling
- fiercebrutal, violent, savage, ferocious, fierce
tyrannicaldemocratic
Government by the people
constitutional · liberal · republican · lawful · egalitarian
tyrannicalgentle
Soft and kind
lenient · permissive · tolerant · kind · compassionate
- tyrannical ruleHarsh authoritarian governance