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

At the beginning of June, the Army kicks off 10 days in Normandy to commemorate perhaps the most iconic military maneuver in modern history: the day America and her Allies stormed the beaches of France with the aim of freeing Europe from Nazi tyranny. —William A. Ryan, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2024

On one level, D-Day and NATO are inspiring bookends: the first, a nostalgic commemoration of the Allied victory over Nazi tyranny; the second, a 75th birthday party for the alliance that grew out of the ashes of World War II. —Mark Landler, New York Times, 2 June 2024

The idea is to help shoppers escape what psychologists call the tyranny of choice, which can paralyze consumers and lead them to leave a store having bought nothing. —Phil Wahba, Fortune, 28 May 2024

Ignoring or neglecting this right can open the gate to tyranny. —Hasan Zillur Rahim, The Mercury News, 25 May 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