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.

Shortly after Museveni took power in 1986, ending years of bloodshed and chaos under tyrannical rulers, the young president mused that leaders overstaying their welcome lay at the heart of Africa's problems.

From Barron's • Jan. 17, 2026

Ironically, what began as an effort to promote transparency and efficiency for legal work has since become a tyrannical arrangement with both senior people and junior associates motivated to rack up hours to maximize profits.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

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

Freed from the tyrannical control that his father Murry had exerted over The Beach Boys’ direction as their manager, Wilson made a self-conscious stab at greatness.

From Salon • Jun. 12, 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