# tyranny

/ˈtɪɹəni/ (US) · /tˈɪɹənˌi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tyranny
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. oppressive government

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a government where one person has all the power and treats people cruelly.

For teachers: a political system in which a single ruler exercises absolute power, typically in a cruel or oppressive manner.

- The people finally rose up to end decades of tyranny and demand their freedom.
- The revolution was born from a collective desire to dismantle the long-standing tyranny that had suppressed political dissent for generations.

Usage: Often used with the definite article 'the' when referring to a specific regime.

### 2. cruel use of power

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the unfair or cruel use of power over other people.

For teachers: the arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power or control over others.

- The children suffered under the tyranny of their strict and unkind headmaster.
- The essay explores the tyranny of social expectations and how they limit individual expression in modern society.

Usage: Can be used metaphorically to describe non-political situations of control.

## Examples

- The people finally rose up to end the leader's tyranny.
- After decades of political tyranny, the nation struggled to establish a functioning democratic system.
- The essay explores the tyranny of the clock in modern life, arguing that our rigid adherence to schedules has stifled natural human creativity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.