tyrant

noun

ty·​rant ˈtī-rənt 

1

a

: an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution

b

: a usurper of sovereignty

2

a

: a ruler who exercises absolute power oppressively or brutally

b

: one resembling an oppressive ruler in the harsh use of authority or power

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What makes someone a tyrant?

A glance at the comments posted in response to our definition of tyrant illustrate two things: the word has a fairly wide spectrum of meaning, and many political rulers of late (regardless of party and action) are thought by some to merit this description. The word is often now found used as a generalized term of reproach ("he was a real tyrant in the kitchen"), and also with more specific denotation ("the tyrant suspended the country’s judicial code"). The definitions we give for words match, as best as possible, the manner in which these words are used. We cannot offer judgment on whether or not any specific individual is or is not a tyrant.

Synonyms

• caesar
• despot
• dictator
• führer
• fuehrer
• oppressor
• pharaoh
• strongman
• tyrannizer

Examples of tyrant in a Sentence

Our boss is a real tyrant.

the people universally feared the tyrant, who was notorious for his frequent use of torture

Recent Examples on the Web

The Soviet dictator, the Man of Steel, was the type of tyrant that Trump chillingly admires. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025

Roman became too much of a tyrant to continue working with, and Jimmy turned on him for fear of being overshadowed. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 16 Apr. 2025

In other words, could the question at the outset of the novel be applied today to the United States—a bastion of democratic strength being ripped apart by an erratic tyrant? Years ago, in one of his lucid columns, Vargas Llosa described the election of Donald Trump as a form of national suicide. —Ilan Stavans, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025

Throughout Russian history, Ivan the Terrible – who among his other crimes murdered his eldest son and had the head of Russian Orthodox Church strangled for dissent – was remembered as a repulsive tyrant. —Dina Khapaeva, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tyraunt, from Anglo-French tyran, tyrant, from Latin tyrannus, from Greek tyrannos

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing tyrant

• tyrant flycatcher

Kids Definition

tyrant

noun

ty·​rant ˈtī-rənt 

1

: a ruler who has no legal limits on his or her power by law or constitution

2

a

: a ruler who exercises total power harshly or cruelly

b

: a person who uses authority or power harshly