tyrannous

comparative more tyrannous · superlative most tyrannous

1. Tyrannical, despotic or oppressive.

   Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne To tyrannous hate!

   c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii]

   3 more examples

   […] that Elfe, That man and beast with powre imperious Subdeweth to his kingdome tyrannous:

   1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto XII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, page 582

   It is extraordinary that as the wicked arts of this regicide and tyrannous faction increase in number, variety, and atrocity, the desire of punishing them becomes more and more faint […]

   1797, Edmund Burke, “Remarks on the Policy of the Allies with Respect to France”, in Three Memorials on French Affairs, London: F. & C. Rivington, page 193

   As life wears on and finds no rest, The individual in each breast Is tyrannous to sunder them.

   1881, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, “Soothsay” in Ballads and Sonnets, London: Ellis & White, pp. 269-270, The affinities have strongest part In youth, and draw men heart to heart