tyranny
Americannoun
-
arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power; despotic abuse of authority.
- Synonyms:
- dictatorship, absolutism, despotism
-
the government or rule of a tyrant or absolute ruler.
-
a state ruled by a tyrant or absolute ruler.
-
oppressive or unjustly severe government on the part of any ruler.
-
undue severity or harshness.
-
a cruel or harsh act or proceeding; an arbitrary, oppressive, or tyrannical action.
noun
-
-
government by a tyrant or tyrants; despotism
-
similarly oppressive and unjust government by more than one person
-
-
arbitrary, unreasonable, or despotic behaviour or use of authority
the teacher's tyranny
-
any harsh discipline or oppression
the tyranny of the clock
-
a political unit ruled by a tyrant
-
(esp in ancient Greece) government by a usurper
-
a tyrannical act
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of tyranny
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English tyrannie, from Old French, from Medieval Latin tyrannia, equivalent to Latin tyrann(us) “oppressive ruler” + -ia noun suffix; see tyrant, -y 3
Explanation
Tyranny is a noun that describes a repressive and arbitrarily cruel regime. Don't accuse your mother of tyranny just because she won't let you play video games all weekend long. One of the root words of tyranny is the Latin tyrannia which means the "rule of a tyrant" and a tyrant is a "cruel master." Today, it can mean the repressive regime of a dictator or it can also mean being controlled by something metaphorically harsh like time or work. Maybe the oldest example of a tyranny is that of Tyrannosaurus Rex, or "king of the giant lizards," who many of us grew up thinking was the largest, most predatory and frightening of the dinosaurs who supposedly ruled over the rest of the dinosaur world with its huge, sharp teeth and claws.
Vocabulary lists containing tyranny
The Declaration of Independence
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Fahrenheit 451
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
American History I
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
He said the two countries have stood together "defiant and triumphant against the forces of communism, fascism and tyranny".
From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026
Thomas Jefferson once wrote that he had “sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of mind.”
From Salon • Apr. 24, 2026
This distinction mattered enormously to the founders, who were deeply suspicious of standing armies and associated them with tyranny and imperial overreach.
From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026
As the title implies, “One Battle” imagines an America where little improves, no matter how much people fight tyranny.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026
The organization awarded medals of honor to Rudi and Karl “for outstanding merits in the fight against the National Socialist tyranny, and the reestablishment of freedom and democracy.”
From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
