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tyrant
[ tahy-ruhnt ]
/ ˈtaɪ rənt /
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Definition of tyrant
noun
a sovereign or other ruler who uses power oppressively or unjustly.
any person in a position of authority who exercises power oppressively or despotically.
a tyrannical or compulsory influence.
an absolute ruler, especially one in ancient Greece or Sicily.
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Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
Origin of tyrant
1250–1300; Middle English tirant<Old French <Latin tyrannus<Greek týrannos
OTHER WORDS FROM tyrant
un·der·ty·rant, nounWords nearby tyrant
tyrannosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex, tyrannous, tyrannulet, tyranny, tyrant, tyrant flycatcher, tyre, Tyree, Tyrian, Tyrian purple
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use tyrant in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for tyrant
tyrant
/ (ˈtaɪrənt) /
noun
a person who governs oppressively, unjustly, and arbitrarily; despot
any person who exercises authority in a tyrannical manner
anything that exercises tyrannical influence
(esp in ancient Greece) a ruler whose authority lacked the sanction of law or custom; usurper
Word Origin for tyrant
C13: from Old French tyrant, from Latin tyrannus, from Greek turannos
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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