Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense tyrannizes, present participle tyrannizing, past tense, past participle tyrannizedregional note: in BRIT, also use tyrannise
verb
If you say that one person tyrannizes another, you mean that the first person uses their power over the second person in order to treat them very cruelly and unfairly.
...fathers who tyrannize their families. [VERB noun]
Armed groups use their power to tyrannise over civilians. [VERB + over]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: oppress, bully, dictate to, intimidate More Synonyms of tyrannize
tyrannize in British English
or tyrannise (ˈtɪrəˌnaɪz)
verb
(whenintr, often foll by over)
to rule or exercise power (over) in a cruel or oppressive manner
Derived forms
tyrannizer (ˈtyranˌnizer) or tyranniser (ˈtyranˌniser)
noun
tyrannize in American English
(ˈtɪrəˌnaɪz)
verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈtyranˌnized or ˈtyranˌnizing
1.
to govern as a tyrant; rule with absolute power
2.
to govern or use authority harshly or cruelly; be oppressive
verb transitive
3.
to treat tyrannically; oppress
Derived forms
tyrannizer (ˈtyranˌnizer)
noun
Word origin
MFr tyranniser < ML tyrannizare
Examples of 'tyrannize' in a sentence
tyrannize
A cruder lover of power might tyrannize over a drudge, but Lorelei is an epicure.
Barnard, Robert DEATH IN PURPLE PROSE
(verb)
Definition
to rule or exercise power (over) in a cruel or oppressive manner
a formidable boss who tyrannized the workforce
Synonyms
oppress
predatory lenders who oppress the poor
bully
I wasn't going to let him bully me.
dictate to
intimidate
Attempts to intimidate people into voting for them failed.
coerce
He argued that the government had coerced him into resigning.
enslave
an alien plot to enslave humanity
terrorize
He was fired for terrorizing his colleagues.
subjugate
browbeat
attempts to deceive, con, or browbeat the voters
ride roughshod over
rule with an iron hand
domineer over
have someone under your thumb
Additional synonyms
in the sense of browbeat
Definition
to frighten (someone) with threats
attempts to deceive, con, or browbeat the voters
Synonyms
bully,
threaten,
cow,
intimidate,
badger,
oppress,
hector,
coerce,
bulldoze (informal),
overawe,
dragoon,
ride roughshod over,
tyrannize,
overbear,
domineer
in the sense of bully
Definition
to hurt, intimidate, or persecute (a weaker or smaller person)
I wasn't going to let him bully me.
Synonyms
persecute,
intimidate,
torment,
hound,
oppress,
pick on,
victimize,
terrorize,
push around (slang),
ill-treat,
ride roughshod over,
maltreat,
tyrannize,
overbear
in the sense of coerce
Definition
to compel or force
He argued that the government had coerced him into resigning.
Synonyms
force,
compel,
bully,
intimidate,
railroad (informal),
constrain,
bulldoze (informal),
dragoon,
pressurize,
browbeat,
press-gang,
twist (someone's) arm (informal),
drive
Nearby words of
tyrannize
typical
typify
tyrannical
tyrannize
tyranny
tyrant
tyro
Synonyms of 'tyrannize'
tyrannize
Explore 'tyrannize' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of enslave
Definition
to make a slave of (someone)
an alien plot to enslave humanity
Synonyms
subjugate,
bind,
dominate,
trap,
suppress,
enthral,
yoke,
tyrannize,
sell into slavery,
reduce to slavery,
enchain
in the sense of intimidate
Definition
to subdue or influence (someone) through fear
Attempts to intimidate people into voting for them failed.
Synonyms
frighten,
pressure,
threaten,
alarm,
scare,
terrify,
cow,
bully,
plague,
menace,
hound,
awe,
daunt,
harass,
subdue,
oppress,
persecute,
lean on (informal),
coerce,
overawe,
scare off (informal),
terrorize,
pressurize,
browbeat,
twist someone's arm (informal),
tyrannize,
dishearten,
dispirit,
scare the bejesus out of (informal),
affright (archaic),
domineer
in the sense of terrorize
Definition
to control or force (someone) to do something by violence, fear, threats, etc.