tyranny

American  

[tir-uh-nee] / ˈtɪr ə ni /

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.

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tyranny British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• tyrannous adjective
• tyrannously adverb
• tyrannousness noun

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; tyrant, -y ³

Example Sentences

“No Kings” is both a moral and a political claim that tyranny must be antithetical to American values.

From Salon

It covers the tyranny of gender roles and the comfort of escaping into obsession, and Ms. Shaw is very good at inhabiting such perspectives, hinting at broader issues but favoring subtlety and suggestion.

From The Wall Street Journal

During and after the Civil War, of course, the ensign was as much a symbol of tyranny to many Southerners as it was a source of unity.

From Salon

Hence, the utility and concurrent tyranny of the Year-End list: It’s a wonderful viewing guide for our holiday breaks, and a reminder of everything we missed over the past 12 months.

From Salon

Thus, to the “tyranny”—to the “dead hand”—of gold, he says good riddance.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• authoritarianism
• autocracy
• coercion
• cruelty
• despotism
• domination
• oligarchy
• oppression
• terrorism
• totalitarianism