tyrant

ty·rant

noun \ˈtī-rənt\

Definition of TYRANT

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

Examples of TYRANT

1. Our boss is a real tyrant.
2. <the people universally feared the tyrant, who was notorious for his frequent use of torture>

Origin of TYRANT

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to TYRANT

Synonyms: caesar, dictator, führer (or fuehrer), oppressor, pharaoh, strongman, tyrannizer, despot

Related Words: autarch, autocrat, monocrat; authoritarian, Big Brother, paramount, potentate, totalitarian; caudillo, overlord, warlord; boss, captain, chief, dominator, kingpin, leader, master, overlord, ruler; king, lord, monarch, prince, queen, sovereign (also sovran); baron, czar (also tsar or tzar), magnate, mogul, tycoon; disciplinarian, discipliner, enforcer, martinet, taskmaster

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Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with TYRANT

spirant