arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power; despotic abuse of authority.
the government or rule of a tyrant or absolute ruler.
a state ruled by a tyrant or absolute ruler.
oppressive or unjustly severe government on the part of any ruler.
undue severity or harshness.
a cruel or harsh act or proceeding; an arbitrary, oppressive, or tyrannical action.
Origin of tyranny
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; see tyrant, -y3
It is a woeful abuse of history to claim the filibuster protects the minority from the tyranny of the majority.
The definitive case for ending the filibuster|Ezra Klein|October 1, 2020|Vox
These tactics jettison a different kind of tyranny — the tyranny of the click — and leverage the duration of readers’ engagement instead.
With quality content, publishers can overcome the ‘tyranny of choice’|Duration Media|October 1, 2020|Digiday
Memory releases our mental life from the tyranny of the present moment.
You can’t completely trust your memories|David Linden|September 30, 2020|Popular Science
We are here today to declare that we will never submit to tyranny.
Election live updates: Trump returns to Wisconsin; Biden to face live audience at town hall|Colby Itkowitz, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
Lewis’s concept was that even that would be preferable to “omnipotent moral busybodies” being in charge, because he said that could lead to what “may be the most oppressive” form of tyranny.
William Barr’s eyebrow-raising ‘robber barons’ metaphor for the Trump era|Aaron Blake|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
Applying the apartheid label is incorrect—and is also confusing because it obscures the tyranny which is in force.
Don’t Accuse Israel of Apartheid|Benjamin Pogrund|July 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Bill of Rights, and especially the First Amendment, were intended to protect the powerless from the tyranny of the powerful.
The Supreme Court Turns the First Amendment Into a Weapon for Corporations|Sally Kohn|July 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It also called for the establishment of laws and institutions that might protect minorities against the tyranny of the majority.
How Iran and America Can Beat ISIS Together|Ben Van Heuvelen|June 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Either you stand with freedom, or you side with tyranny,” Miller wrote on his Facebook page in March.
Hatriot Politics Created the Las Vegas Killers|John Avlon|June 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His social snapshots reveal the unhappy repercussions of tyranny and poverty in a picturesque Africa.
Saatchi Resurrects Ancient Pangaea with Show Featuring South American and African Artists|Chloë Ashby|April 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And it was not, be it remembered, the work of a capricious and cruel despot; it was the tyranny of a solemn legislative assembly.
A Book of the Play|Dutton Cook
It was the final tribute of gratitude to one whose ceaseless energy had saved the nation from long years of tyranny.
The Swedish Revolution Under Gustavus Vasa|Paul Barron Watson
Why, it takes all the tyranny of a strong man like Swift to keep instinct within bounds.
The Black Cat|John Todhunter
It had its commands and its tyranny to which I was obliged to yield.
Balzac|Frederick Lawton
Let us renounce and throw off forever the yoke of a tyranny more oppressive than any in the annals of the world.
Elson Grammar School Literature, Book Four.|William H. Elson
British Dictionary definitions for tyranny
tyranny
/ (ˈtɪrənɪ) /
nounplural-nies
government by a tyrant or tyrants; despotism
similarly oppressive and unjust government by more than one person
arbitrary, unreasonable, or despotic behaviour or use of authoritythe teacher's tyranny
any harsh discipline or oppressionthe tyranny of the clock