51³Ô¹Ï

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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

/ ˈ³Ùɪ°ùÉ™²Ôɪ /

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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Other 51³Ô¹Ï Forms

  • ˈ³Ù²â°ù²¹²Ô²Ô´Ç³Ü²õ adjective
  • ˈ³Ù²â°ù²¹²Ô²Ô´Ç³Ü²õly adverb
  • ˈ³Ù²â°ù²¹²Ô²Ô´Ç³Ü²õness noun
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51³Ô¹Ï 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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51³Ô¹Ï 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.

This system of separation of powers and checks and balances is designed to prevent tyranny and ensure a balanced government.

From

The new species also shows early evolutionary stages of features that were key to the tyrannosaurs' tyranny, including skull anatomy that gave it a strong jaw.

From

“When tyranny becomes law,†one graffiti said, “rebellion becomes duty,â€

From

“This isn’t just policy disagreement. ... This is the blueprint of tyranny.â€

From

Milan Kundera, the “Unbearable Lightness of Being’ author who died Tuesday at 94, didn’t just liberate minds from tyranny.

From

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