暴虐|ぼうぎゃくbougyaku[0]heiban (flat)

1. noun, na-adjectivetyranny; atrocity
   世間せけんはいつまでこれらの暴虐ぼうぎゃくを傍観ぼうかんし続つづけるのか。↗

   How long can the world stand by and watch these atrocities?

• Synonym残虐ざんぎゃくWrittenWritten register. Focuses on the cruelty and savagery of methods, often in descriptions of incidents; lacks the despotic nuance of 「暴虐」.
• Synonym残忍ざんにんNeutralDescribes doing merciless things without compunction; tends to describe character. Neutral register.
• Synonym残酷ざんこくNeutralThe everyday word. Focuses on tormenting without mercy; also covers harsh realities. Neutral register.
• Synonym非道ひどうWrittenWritten. Focuses on defying humanity and reason, as in 「非道な行い」.
• Synonym凶悪きょうあくNeutralFocuses on vicious, violent crime, as in 「凶悪犯罪」; neutral register.
• SynonymひどいCasualThe same word as 「惨い」 above; 「酷い」 is an alternative spelling. Colloquial, for what is too dreadful to behold.
• Synonym苛虐かぎゃくWrittenWritten and rare. Focuses on harsh, cruel mistreatment; lacks the despotic nuance of 「暴虐」.
• Related極悪ごくあくWrittenWritten. Focuses on heinous, utterly wicked evil, as in 「極悪人」.
• Related無残むざんWrittenWritten. Focuses on the pitiful, ghastly result rather than the cruelty itself, as in 「無残な姿」.
• Related過酷かこくNeutralFocuses on excessively harsh conditions or circumstances, as in 「過酷な労働」.
• Related虐待ぎゃくたいNeutralFocuses on prolonged abuse of the weak, as in 「児童虐待」.
• Related無情むじょうNeutralHighlights lack of sympathy, as in 「無情の雨」; neutral register.
• RelatedむごいCasualColloquial. Focuses on scenes too dreadful to watch, as in 「むごい仕打ち」.
• Related無慈悲むじひWrittenWritten. Highlights the utter absence of compassion; tends to describe an attitude.
• Related酷薄こくはくWrittenWritten. Focuses on cold-heartedness and callousness, as in 「酷薄な性格」.
• Related無道むどうWrittenWritten. Focuses on conduct that defies morality, as in 「無道な振る舞い」.
• Related非人道的ひじんどうてきWrittenWritten. Focuses on violating humanitarian principles, as in 「非人道的な扱い」.
• Related暴戻ぼうれいWrittenWritten and rare. Focuses on roughness and ferocity; the closest in meaning to 「暴虐」.
• Related猛悪もうあくWrittenWritten and rare. Focuses on ferocity and savagery; mostly describes wild beasts.
• RelatedむごたらしいCasualColloquial. Focuses on cruelty so shocking it appalls, as in 「むごたらしい事件」.
• Related没義道もぎどうWrittenWritten and rare, with an archaic tone. Focuses on inhumanity, disregard for human decency.
• Related酷悪こくあくWrittenWritten and rare, almost unused today. Focuses on cruelty combined with wickedness.
• Antonym慈愛じあいWrittenWritten. Tender, affectionate care — the opposite of the savagery of 「暴虐」.
• Antonym仁政じんせいWrittenWritten. Benevolent rule that cares for the people — the direct opposite of despotic 「暴虐」.

Use 「暴虐」 for despotic, brutal oppression by those in power — written register, as in 「暴虐な君主」 or 「暴虐の限りを尽くす」. For cruelty of methods choose 「残虐」; in everyday speech say 「残酷」; for vicious crime use 「凶悪」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 横暴おうぼうで残虐ざんぎゃくなこと。またそのさま。