plural tyrannies
1
: oppressive power
every form of tyranny over the mind of man—
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson2
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
Examples of tyranny in a Sentence
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.
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
It's mainly made up of former and current law enforcement, former and current military, and these people see themselves as the last line of defense against government tyranny.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Finally, Gibney breaks away from nonstop Sopranos worship for secondhand memories of Gandolfini’s personal struggles on the series — the mixture of pressure and addiction — and Chase’s transition into some level of occasional tyranny.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024
The best example of a collective community, coming together to stand up against tyranny, is in the Nassar case.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2024
This quest for a charismatic leader had always ended in tyranny, Hayek said.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tyranny 
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Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Finally, Gibney breaks away from nonstop Sopranos worship for secondhand memories of Gandolfini’s personal struggles on the series — the mixture of pressure and addiction — and Chase’s transition into some level of occasional tyranny.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024
The best example of a collective community, coming together to stand up against tyranny, is in the Nassar case.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2024
This quest for a charismatic leader had always ended in tyranny, Hayek said.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tyranny
Articles Related to tyranny
Dictionary Entries Near tyranny
Cite this Entry
“Tyranny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tyranny. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tyranny
noun
tyr·an·ny
ˈtir-ə-nē 
plural tyrannies
1
: a government in which all power is in the hands of a single ruler
2
: harsh, cruel, and severe government or conduct
3
: a tyrannical act
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