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View synonyms for

tyranny

[ tir-uh-nee ]

noun

plural tyrannies.
  1. arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power; despotic abuse of authority.

    Synonyms: , ,

  2. the government or rule of a tyrant or absolute ruler.
  3. a state ruled by a tyrant or absolute ruler.
  4. oppressive or unjustly severe government on the part of any ruler.
  5. undue severity or harshness.
  6. a cruel or harsh act or proceeding; an arbitrary, oppressive, or tyrannical action.


tyranny

/ ˈɪəɪ /

noun

    1. government by a tyrant or tyrants; despotism
    2. similarly oppressive and unjust government by more than one person
  1. arbitrary, unreasonable, or despotic behaviour or use of authority

    the teacher's tyranny

  2. any harsh discipline or oppression

    the tyranny of the clock

  3. a political unit ruled by a tyrant
  4. (esp in ancient Greece) government by a usurper
  5. a tyrannical act
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٲԲԴdzܲ, adjective
  • ˈٲԲԴdzܲly, adverb
  • ˈٲԲԴdzܲness, noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of tyranny1

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English tyrannie, from Old French, from Medieval Latin tyrannia, equivalent to Latin tyrann(us) “oppressive ruler” + -ia noun suffix; tyrant, -y 3
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Word History and Origins

Origin of tyranny1

C14: from Old French tyrannie, from Medieval Latin tyrannia, from Latin tyrannus tyrant
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He built the community directly from his phone and, whether intended or not, that connection has sustained his career - insulating him from the tyrannies of radio playlists and streaming placement.

From

Donald Trump, on the other hand, couldn't care less about "promoting freedom and combatting tyranny."

From

We are not aware, or it is not part of our conversations about the struggles we are facing with the tyranny of beauty.

From

It’s a critical check on presidential power, for an obvious reason: an army turned inward can quickly become an instrument of tyranny.

From

"Global unity can triumph over trade tyranny," declared an editorial in the state-run newspaper China Daily, noting Beijing's collaborations with Japan, South Korea and other Asian economies.

From

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