Neronian

9.9

A person or action that is cruel and very wasteful like the Roman emperor Nero

adjective
/nəˈroʊniən/

Formal

: neroniano

Critics described the lavish party as a display of Neronian excess.

Examples

The dictator's Neronian policies left the citizens in fear and despair.
Some historians argue that the leader's Neronian actions were exaggerated by his enemies.
His Neronian behavior shocked everyone at the party.
Many historians describe Nero's reign as Neronian due to its excesses.
The dictator's Neronian policies left the citizens in fear and despair.
Critics described the lavish party as a display of Neronian excess.
Many historians describe Nero's reign as Neronian due to its excesses.

Synonyms

tyrannical

vsNeronian

24 7.9

Using power to treat people cruelly and unfairly

refers to a Roman emperor and includes notable extravagance

tyrannous

vsNeronian

Formal

1 9.9

Using unfair, cruel power to control people

points to a specific Roman emperor and to extravagant excess instead of general oppression

tyrannic

vsNeronian

Formal

1 9.1

Having very strong, unfair power that controls or hurts people

associates specifically with a Roman emperor and with extravagance

How Tyrannical

despotic

7 8.4

Neronian

Formal

9.9

tyrannical

24 7.9

oppressive

45 6.3

authoritarian

56 7.5

strict

371 3.2

Surface Forms

Neronian positive

Morphology

Neronian = Nero (transparent) = Nero + ian

Formed from the proper name 'Nero' plus the productive adjectival suffix '-ian', so the meaning 'relating to Nero' or 'resembling Nero' is predictable.

Etymology

Neronian comes from the Roman emperor Nero and the ending -ian, which means 'related to'. Nero is remembered for cruel, loud, and very showy acts — one popular story even says he 'played music while Rome burned' — so Neronian describes things that are like his cruelty, harsh rule, or extreme luxury.