tyranny

tyr·an·ny | \ ˈtir-ə-nē

plural tyrannies

Definition of tyranny

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

2a : 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 More Example Sentences Learn More about tyranny

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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 on the Web The Wars of the Roses witnessed the life-saving resort to nonfelony asylum by leaders on both sides of the conflict, and such events likely introduced the resilient trope of sanctuary as a defense against tyranny. — Rafil Kroll-zaidi, The New York Review of Books, "The Revival of Church Sanctuary," 3 Nov. 2020 The days of tyranny of the minority are coming to an end. — WSJ, "The Washington Packers May Take the Field," 21 Oct. 2020 In On Liberty, John Stuart Mill is careful to acknowledge the structural source of pressures on speech: the tyranny of the majority is not a product of evil illiberal forces, but a danger endemic to political freedom. — Harper's Magazine, "On Justice and Open Debate," 15 Sep. 2020 In the South, policing originated as a method of enforcing white tyranny. — Sam Adler-bell, The New Republic, "How Police Unions Bully Politicians," 20 Oct. 2020 Not just for our culture and our government, but the simple act of voting will have been the reason that the rest of our country is put back together and, in many ways, saved from what appears to be tyranny, certainly jeopardy. — Dave Itzkoff, New York Times, "David Letterman Isn’t Here to Cheer You Up This Time," 19 Oct. 2020 The unchecked mobs of the 1930’s were tools used to produce tyranny. — Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Commentary: Mobs and freedom don’t mix," 8 Oct. 2020 The historical context of an exodus of Black people is rooted in the hope for true freedom from white tyranny. — Monifa Dayo, SFChronicle.com, "I’m a chef who built a dream career in Oakland. But this country’s racism is forcing me to leave," 5 Oct. 2020 That was the psychological springboard that ultimately enabled her to become a champion for people afflicted by poverty, tyranny, disease, discrimination and dislocation throughout the world. — Jamie Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, "Why Eleanor Roosevelt’s Example Matters More Than Ever," 5 Oct. 2020

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.