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 Allies were an unprecedented coalition of countries, ideologies, and people of all walks of life who stood shoulder to shoulder to defeat tyranny. —Lt. General Leon Scott Rice, Boston Herald, 7 May 2025

For decades, Hollywood cast the American hero — from Rick Blaine to John McClane, Rocky Balboa, Ethan Hunt and Captain America — as the planet’s natural protagonist: the first responder to global chaos, the last line of defense against tyranny. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025

Based on the students’ correspondence and diaries, their covert engagement with Catholic thought became a cornerstone of the White Rose’s rejection of Nazi tyranny. —Peter Nguyen, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025

Further, the program served a Cold War purpose: the abundance produced by American farmers alleviated the worst kinds of human suffering that had spawned tyranny abroad. — Made By History, Time, 23 Apr. 2025

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