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tyranny
[ tir-uh-nee ]
/ ËtÉȘr É ni /
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noun, plural tyr·an·nies.
arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power; despotic abuse of authority.
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.
OTHER WORDS FOR tyranny
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Words nearby tyranny
tyrannosaur, tyrannosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex, tyrannous, tyrannulet, tyranny, tyrant, tyrant flycatcher, tyre, Tyree, Tyrian
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use tyranny in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for tyranny
tyranny
/ (ËtÉȘrÉnÉȘ) /
noun plural -nies
- 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 authoritythe teacher's tyranny
any harsh discipline or oppressionthe tyranny of the clock
a political unit ruled by a tyrant
(esp in ancient Greece) government by a usurper
a tyrannical act
Derived forms of tyranny
tyrannous, adjectivetyrannously, adverbtyrannousness, nounWord Origin for tyranny
C14: from Old French tyrannie, from Medieval Latin tyrannia, from Latin tyrannus tyrant
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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