tyrant

noun

ty·​rant ˈtī-rənt 

1

a

: an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution

b

: a usurper of sovereignty

2

a

: a ruler who exercises absolute power oppressively or brutally

b

: one resembling an oppressive ruler in the harsh use of authority or power

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What makes someone a tyrant?

A glance at the comments posted in response to our definition of tyrant illustrate two things: the word has a fairly wide spectrum of meaning, and many political rulers of late (regardless of party and action) are thought by some to merit this description. The word is often now found used as a generalized term of reproach ("he was a real tyrant in the kitchen"), and also with more specific denotation ("the tyrant suspended the country’s judicial code"). The definitions we give for words match, as best as possible, the manner in which these words are used. We cannot offer judgment on whether or not any specific individual is or is not a tyrant.

Synonyms

• dictator

Examples of tyrant in a Sentence

Our boss is a real tyrant.

the people universally feared the tyrant, who was notorious for his frequent use of torture

Recent Examples on the Web

President Trump is, once again, testing the limits of his power, hoping to intimidate other cities into submission to his every vengeful whim by making the once unimaginable—an American tyrant ordering a military occupation of our own capital—a terrifying reality. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025

Jack Nicholson’s McMurphy, a swaggering trickster figure, clashes with the institution’s quiet tyrant, Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), in a battle not just of wills, but of worldviews: chaos versus order, freedom versus conformity. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 29 July 2025

Still, Galactus, a planet-eating tyrant, is no slouch. —Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 July 2025

Back in the early days of the pandemic, as mandates slammed down like edicts from a petty tyrant, voices on national platforms were already exposing the flaws. —Houman Hemmati, Oc Register, 20 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tyraunt, from Anglo-French tyran, tyrant, from Latin tyrannus, from Greek tyrannos

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing tyrant

• tyrant flycatcher

Kids Definition

tyrant

noun

ty·​rant ˈtī-rənt 

1

: a ruler who has no legal limits on his or her power by law or constitution

2

a

: a ruler who exercises total power harshly or cruelly

b

: a person who uses authority or power harshly