tyranny

noun

tyr·​an·​ny ˈtir-ə-nē 

plural tyrannies

1

a

: oppressive power

the tyranny of the majority

… every form of tyranny over the mind of man.

—Thomas Jefferson

especially : oppressive power exerted by government

the tyranny of a police state

It is impossible to dispute the superiority of freedom over tyranny, of democracy over dictatorship.

—Joe Klein

b

: a government that exerts oppressive power over its populace

This troublesome picture has a brighter side … : the century's two major tyrannies, Nazi Germany and Communist Soviet Union, have been broken …

—Charles Cawthon

2

a

: a government in which absolute power is vested in a single ruler

especially : one characteristic of an ancient Greek city-state

The king sought an absolute tyranny over the colonies.

b

: the office, authority, and administration of a tyrant

In those years, the country was under Mao's tyranny and most writers suffered appallingly in endless political persecutions.

—Jung Chang

3

: a rigorous condition imposed by some outside agency or force

… the tyranny of public conformity and the irrational desire for sameness …

—Martha C. Nussbaum

… living under the tyranny of the clock.

—Dixon Wecter

4

: an oppressive, harsh, or unjust act : a tyrannical act

The tyrannies of slavery unfold in a harrowing exhibition …

—Sue Crabtree

… the social tyrannies that made the early world a hell …

—Jack London

Synonyms of tyranny

• dictatorship
• fascism
• despotism
• Communism
• autocracy
• totalitarianism
• authoritarianism
• absolutism

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

Without constant reinforcement, these muscles will atrophy, and when real tyranny arrives, the flabby citizen will be powerless to resist. —Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026

Focus Features has set a Sept 11 release for the Paul Greengrass directed, Andrew Garfield starring The Uprising, which follows the untold true story of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026

With control ceded to the computer clock, the drummer is left filling in the spaces like a kid with a coloring book, straining against the tyranny of the click track in their ears. —Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026

If Congress checks out, Bagenstos says, that increases the risk of tyranny from the executive. —Sam Gringlas, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026

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