tyranny

[tir-uh-nee]

noun

plural

tyrannies 

1. arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power; despotic abuse of authority.

   Synonyms: dictatorship, absolutism, despotism

2. the government or rule of a tyrant or absolute ruler.

3. a state ruled by a tyrant or absolute ruler.

4. oppressive or unjustly severe government on the part of any ruler.

5. undue severity or harshness.

6. a cruel or harsh act or proceeding; an arbitrary, oppressive, or tyrannical action.

tyranny

/ ˈtɪrənɪ /

noun

1. 1. government by a tyrant or tyrants; despotism

   2. similarly oppressive and unjust government by more than one person

2. arbitrary, unreasonable, or despotic behaviour or use of authority

   the teacher's tyranny

3. any harsh discipline or oppression

   the tyranny of the clock

4. a political unit ruled by a tyrant

5. (esp in ancient Greece) government by a usurper

6. a tyrannical act

Other Word Forms

• tyrannous adjective
• tyrannously adverb
• tyrannousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tyranny¹

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; tyrant, -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of tyranny¹

C14: from Old French tyrannie, from Medieval Latin tyrannia, from Latin tyrannus _tyrant

Example Sentences

The founders would be so proud to know that we made it that far before we finally succumbed to tyranny.

From Salon

Libertarians like Paul have consistently embraced the concept of private tyranny, where one’s employer is entitled to rule as a strongman, but this is not even that.

From Salon

"We must stop telling people it's unsafe to hear views they disagree with - that excuse opens the door to censorship, violence and tyranny".

From BBC

Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression and secure peace,” the king added.

From Los Angeles Times

"We are facing great tyranny," he said, "but… I will not be discouraged."

From BBC

Related Words

• authoritarianism www.thesaurus.com
• autocracy 
• coercion 
• cruelty 
• despotism 
• domination 
• oligarchy 
• oppression 
• terrorism 
• totalitarianism