tyranny
noun
tyr·an·ny ˈtir-ə-nē 
plural tyrannies
1
: oppressive power
every form of tyranny over the mind of man
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson especially : oppressive power exerted by government
the tyranny of a police state
2
a
: 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
Dixon Wecter4
: an oppressive, harsh, or unjust act : a tyrannical act
workers who had suffered tyrannies
Synonyms
- absolutism
- autarchy
- authoritarianism
- autocracy
- Caesarism
- czarism
- tsarism
- tzarism
- despotism
- dictatorship
- totalism
- totalitarianism
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
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. See More Recent Examples on the Web My running friendships offered a reprieve from the tyranny of the calendar. Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, 25 Aug. 2022 Professor Harper also tells the story of humanity’s progress in medical science and public health, thereby facilitating our escape from the tyranny of infectious disease. Grrlscientist, Forbes, 31 July 2022 There are tributes to those who fought for America's freedom from tyranny, to those who led Americans through some of is darkest times in our 246-year-old history. CBS News, 3 July 2022 But our Founders wisely understood such concepts were recipes for tyranny. Steve Forbes, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 Dustin crafted a story so personal and vital for this moment in American history – a reminder of the danger of fundamentalism, extremism and of the fragility of precious individual freedoms in the face of tyranny. Bellamy Richardson, PEOPLE.com, 12 July 2022 The opportunities for mischief are serious and worrisome — and so are the opportunities for tyranny. Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 19 Feb. 2022 But modern technology—first radio and newspapers, now Twitter and Facebook —has created untold vistas for the tyranny of the crowd. Robert D. Kaplan, WSJ, 7 Oct. 2021 Eragon and Saphira set out to defeat Galbatorix and free the land of Alagaësia from his tyranny. Joe Otterson, Variety, 25 July 2022 See More
Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, 25 Aug. 2022 Professor Harper also tells the story of humanity’s progress in medical science and public health, thereby facilitating our escape from the tyranny of infectious disease. Grrlscientist, Forbes, 31 July 2022 There are tributes to those who fought for America's freedom from tyranny, to those who led Americans through some of is darkest times in our 246-year-old history. CBS News, 3 July 2022 But our Founders wisely understood such concepts were recipes for tyranny. Steve Forbes, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 Dustin crafted a story so personal and vital for this moment in American history – a reminder of the danger of fundamentalism, extremism and of the fragility of precious individual freedoms in the face of tyranny. Bellamy Richardson, PEOPLE.com, 12 July 2022 The opportunities for mischief are serious and worrisome — and so are the opportunities for tyranny. Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 19 Feb. 2022 But modern technology—first radio and newspapers, now Twitter and Facebook —has created untold vistas for the tyranny of the crowd. Robert D. Kaplan, WSJ, 7 Oct. 2021 Eragon and Saphira set out to defeat Galbatorix and free the land of Alagaësia from his tyranny. Joe Otterson, Variety, 25 July 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
tyranny
noun
tyr·an·ny ˈtir-ə-nē
plural tyrannies
1
: an act or the pattern of harsh, cruel, and unfair control over other people
2
: a government in which all power is in the hands of a single ruler
tyranny
noun
as in dictatorship
a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power a popular uprising replaced that nation's tyranny with freedom and democracy Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dictatorship
- despotism
- fascism
- autocracy
- totalitarianism
- authoritarianism
- absolutism
- autarchy
- monarchy
- oppression
- totalism
- tsarism
- czarism
- Communism
- monocracy
- tzarism
- monarchism
- Caesarism
- domination
- Nazism
- Big Brotherism
- Big Brother
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- democracy
- freedom
- sovereignty
- self-rule
- self-governance
- self-government
- autonomy
- sovranty
- self-determination