tyrannical

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Student-made memes depict the administrator behind the proposal as Gandalf from “Lord of the Rings” saying “You shall not pass!” or as Dolores Umbridge, the tyrannical Hogwarts headmistress from “Harry Potter.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

We’ve also reached a point in the season at which previous groups of Traitors turned on each other for reasons similar to those that do in tyrannical cabals: mutual envy, paranoia and greed.

From Salon • Jan. 28, 2026

British tech campaigner Imran Ahmed on Friday decried a US visa ban as "punishment" for his organization's work combating disinformation and holding major online platforms accountable, telling AFP that Washington's actions amounted to "tyrannical behavior."

From Barron's • Jan. 2, 2026

Dame Anna's tenure as editor-in-chief of US Vogue is widely rumoured to have inspired the character of Miranda Priestly in the Devil Wears Prada, a fictional portrayal of a tyrannical and revered fashion taste-maker.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2025

But I’d thought it was a small conflict, like the Boston Massacre, which Dad talked about a lot, in which half a dozen people had been martyred by a tyrannical government.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover