tyranny

noun tyr·an·ny \ ˈtir-ə-nē \

|Updated on: 14 Jul 2018

Examples: tyranny in a Sentence

Definition of tyranny

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

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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 of tyranny from the Web

The blighted black-and-white past of tyranny and deprivation, on the one hand, or the technicolor future of innovation, freedom, and prosperity.

— james freeman, WSJ, "Trump and Kim: The Movies," 14 June 2018
As the world’s most repressive tyranny, the North Korean regime has survived by keeping its people in the dark, dampening their expectations, and instilling a fear of external enemies, especially the United States.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "A summit that may pop fear in North Korea," 12 June 2018
Roman Catholic Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo, who became a potent symbol of Nicaraguan resistance first to right-wing tyranny and then to Marxist totalitarianism, died of a heart attack early Sunday morning at the age of 92.

— glenn garvin, miamiherald, "Nicaraguan cardinal was symbol of political resistance," 3 June 2018
But even said jokingly, the words are possessed of a horrible tyranny, as though aloneness is an island on which, as punishment for failing to successfully adapt yourself to romantic love, you are marooned.

— lena dunham, Vogue, "Lena Dunham Explores Alone Time After a Break-Up," 11 May 2018
Officially, the Eisenhower administration orchestrated the overthrow of Jacobo Árbenz’s government to save the Guatemalan people from Communist tyranny.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "We Owe Central American Migrants Much More Than This," 21 June 2018
But within a few years, the Griers would become early Underground Railroad conductors, joining with fellow pioneers and other allies to confront the growing tyranny of bondage and injustice.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "The Unheralded Pioneers of 19th-Century America Were Free African-American Families," 19 June 2018
The tyranny especially of the district court bench has to end.

— Fox News, "Media obsess over Melania's white hat," 25 Apr. 2018
For its critics, Lava Jato has begotten a Robespierrean tyranny of prosecutors and judges.

— The Economist, "Brazil’s Lula and government by judges," 5 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tyranny.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tyranny

Middle English tyrannie, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin tyrannia, from Latin tyrannus tyrant

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

tyranny Synonyms

Other Government and Politics Terms

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

TYRANNY Defined for English Language Learners

tyranny

noun

Definition of tyranny for English Language Learners

: cruel and unfair treatment by people with power over others
: a government in which all power belongs to one person : the rule or authority of a tyrant