tyranny
TIR-uh-nee
/ˈtɪr.ə.ni/
Cruel and oppressive government or rule.
Focuses on the abusive, cruel, and unjust nature of power rather than merely its organizational form.
The story behind the word. From Ancient Greek 'tyrannos', which originally described a ruler who took power without legal right, regardless of whether they ruled well or poorly. By Plato and Aristotle's era, it acquired its modern meaning of cruel, lawless rule.
Word relationships
- oppression: Oppression is the feeling or act of heavy burden, while tyranny emphasizes the abusive government system.
- liberty: Freedom from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority.
Commonly confused with
- despotism: Despotism emphasizes absolute ownership/mastery; tyranny emphasizes cruelty and illegitimacy.
Word family
- tyrant (noun): A cruel and oppressive ruler.
- tyrannical (adjective): Exercising power in a cruel or arbitrary way.
Collocations
- acts of tyranny
- tyranny of the majority
- escape tyranny
- resist tyranny
Idioms & expressions
- tyranny of distance
Example sentences
- "The constitutional checks were designed precisely to prevent the concentration of power and guard against tyranny." Political Philosophy
Memory hook
TYRANT rules with tears and tyranny. Cruel, oppressive rule.
When not to use
Avoid using in official neutral administrative classifications; it is an evaluative and moral term.
Fun facts
- The phrase 'tyranny of the majority' was popularized by Alexis de Tocqueville in 'Democracy in America'.
Related words
Explore more words
authoritarian, oligarchy, totalitarian, victimization, atrocity, subjugation
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