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

This position does not mean in any way ignoring four decades of mismanagement, corruption, oppression, tyranny and incompetence of the Islamic Republic. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 June 2025

Ever since America’s founders decided that the best way to prevent tyranny was to diffuse power across branches of government, those branches of government have competed for authority. —Jacob Turcotte, Christian Science Monitor, 17 June 2025

For 249 years the USA really hasn't tolerated kings or tyranny, yet this president continues to push ever-harder at those Constitutional barriers. —James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025

Alongside the Revolution in France, Saint Domingue sparked conversations about an oncoming global democratic wave rooted in universal human rights, one that would sweep away tyranny of all sorts. —Time, 9 June 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