tyranny

noun

tyr·​an·​ny ˈtir-ə-nē 

plural tyrannies

1

: oppressive power

every form of tyranny over the mind of man

—Thomas Jefferson

especially : oppressive power exerted by government

the tyranny of a police state

2

a

: a government in which absolute power is vested in a single ruler

especially : one characteristic of an ancient Greek city-state

b

: the office, authority, and administration of a tyrant

3

: a rigorous condition imposed by some outside agency or force

living under the tyranny of the clock

—Dixon Wecter

4

: an oppressive, harsh, or unjust act : a tyrannical act

workers who had suffered tyrannies

Synonyms

• absolutism
• autarchy
• authoritarianism
• autocracy
• Caesarism
• czarism
• tsarism
• tzarism
• despotism
• dictatorship
• totalism
• totalitarianism

Examples of tyranny in a Sentence

Cars freed Americans, already infamous for their mobility, from the tyranny of train schedules. —Cynthia Crossen, Wall Street Journal, 7 May 2003

Berlin remains a central attraction, and the evanescence of tyranny is a highlight of the visit. —William F. Buckley, Jr., National Review, 27 Sept. 1999

For in creating a cultural orthodoxy designed to combat racism, urban disorder, and a legacy of oppression, we subject ourselves to delusional dogma, the tyranny of conformity, and language that rings of fascist imagery. —Gerald Early, Harper's, January 1997

The refugees were fleeing tyranny.

He was dedicated to ending the tyranny of slavery.

a nation ruled by tyranny

She felt lost in the bureaucratic tyrannies of the university system.

The king sought an absolute tyranny over the colonies.

Recent Examples on the Web

The collapse of the Assad regime, the tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

The show is airing at a time when a lot of people are thinking about tyranny in a very concrete way. —Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 4 Dec. 2024

In 1847, during the year remembered as Black ’47, Ireland was enduring political and existential chaos due to famine and tyranny. —William Higgins, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Nov. 2024

Different people hold many different beliefs, and one of the key differences between democracy and tyranny is the freedom to think independently. —Hod Fleishman, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tyrannie, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin tyrannia, from Latin tyrannus tyrant

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tyranny

• tyranny of the majority

Kids Definition

tyranny

noun

tyr·​an·​ny ˈtir-ə-nē 

plural tyrannies

1

: a government in which all power is in the hands of a single ruler

2

: harsh, cruel, and severe government or conduct

3

: a tyrannical act