tyranny Definition
- 1cruel and oppressive government or rule
- 2a nation under cruel and oppressive government
- 3cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary use of power or control
Using tyranny: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "tyranny" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The country was under the tyranny of a dictator for many years.
Example
The people rebelled against the tyranny of the king.
Example
The boss's tyranny made it difficult for employees to work effectively.
tyranny Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for tyranny
- oppression
- despotism
- autocracy
- totalitarianism
- dictatorship
Phrases with tyranny
Example
Living in Australia, we often feel the tyranny of distance from the rest of the world.
a situation in which a large group of people uses its power to unfairly impose its will on a smaller, less powerful group
Example
In a democracy, there is always a risk of the tyranny of the majority.
Example
The tyranny of choice can be overwhelming when shopping for groceries.
Origins of tyranny
from Old French 'tirannie', from Latin 'tyrannia', from Greek 'turannos', meaning 'absolute ruler'
Summary: tyranny in Brief
The term 'tyranny' [ˈtɪrəni] refers to cruel and oppressive government or rule, as well as the cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary use of power or control. It can also refer to a nation under such government. Examples include 'The country was under the tyranny of a dictator for many years.' and 'The boss's tyranny made it difficult for employees to work effectively.' 'Tyranny' extends into phrases like 'the tyranny of distance,' referring to the problem of being far away from other places or people, and 'tyranny of choice,' referring to the difficulty of making a decision when faced with too many options.
