marked by unjust severity or arbitrary behavior; the oppressive government; oppressive laws; a tyrannical parent; tyrannous disregard of human rights

[ Syn: oppressive , tyrannous ]

characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty; an authoritarian regime; autocratic government; despotic rulers; a dictatorial rule that lasted for the duration of the war; a tyrannical government

[ Syn: authoritarian , autocratic , dictatorial , despotic , tyrannic ]