tyrannize

American  

[tir-uh-nahyz] / ˈtɪr əˌnaɪz /

especially British, tyrannise

verb (used without object)

tyrannized, tyrannizing

1. to exercise absolute power or control, especially cruelly or oppressively (often followed byover ).

2. to govern despotically, cruelly, or oppressively.

3. to govern or reign as a tyrant.

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verb (used with object)

tyrannized, tyrannizing

1. to rule or govern tyrannically; treat oppressively.

tyrannize British  

/ ˈtɪrəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to rule or exercise power (over) in a cruel or oppressive manner

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Other Word Forms

• outtyrannize verb (used with object)
• tyrannizer noun
• tyrannizingly adverb
• untyrannized adjective

Etymology

Origin of tyrannize

1485–95; < French tyranniser < Late Latin tyrannizāre, equivalent to tyrann ( us ) tyrant + -izāre -ize

Example Sentences

And unfortunately, I think everything you’re speaking about really shows how much those issues are still very much there and the pressure of conforming to a certain ideal still tyrannizes us, in a way.

From Los Angeles Times

Functional adults can dismiss Ayn Rand and her petty tyrannizing over acolytes, her psychodramatic love affair with cult deputy Nathaniel Branden, and her continuing ability to inspire teenagers with a Nietzsche complex.

From Salon

Only to tyrannize behind the scenes and invariably whack others for his mistakes — coaches, general managers, executives by the score finding themselves slurred and slimed and used as human shields.

From Washington Post

Esther was a Frenchwoman, who had lived with ‘Madame’, as she called her mistress, for many years, and who rather tyrannized over the old lady, who could not get along without her.

From Literature

As the Taliban shift from insurgency to governance, one key test will be whether they act to protect minority groups that their fighters once tyrannized, such as the Shiite Hazaras.

From Seattle Times