tyrannize

tyr·an·nize | \ ˈtir-ə-ˌnīz

How to pronounce tyrannize (audio)

\

tyrannized; tyrannizing

Definition of tyrannize

intransitive verb

: to exercise arbitrary oppressive power or severity some ways the living tyrannize over the dying— Thomas Powers

transitive verb

: to treat tyrannically : oppress a regime that tyrannizes its citizens

Other Words from tyrannize More Example Sentences Learn More about tyrannize

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of tyrannize in a Sentence

a government that tyrannizes its own people

Recent Examples on the Web In such societies, counters Madison, a majority will tyrannize the minority. — Corey Robin, The New York Review of Books, "What People Power Looks Like in a Pandemic Democracy," 13 Apr. 2020

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about tyrannize

Dictionary Entries near tyrannize

Statistics for tyrannize

Last Updated

29 Apr 2020

Cite this Entry

“Tyrannize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tyrannize. Accessed 2 Jun. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

eolian

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

May 2020 Words of the Day Quiz

Which is a synonym of exiguous?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.