tyranny

Government by one person with complete power, especially when that person treats people cruelly and unfairly.

• They lived under a cruel tyranny.
• The dictator maintained his tyranny through fear.
• The revolt ended decades of tyranny.

Similar words: dictatorship, despotism

Opposites: democracy

Common phrases: live under tyranny, brutal tyranny, overthrow a tyranny

Complete control over others, often used cruelly or unfairly.

• Everyone feared the boss’s tyranny.
• She resisted the tyranny of her older brother.
• His petty tyranny made family life miserable.

Similar words: oppression, domination, despotism

Common phrases: tyranny of someone, petty tyranny, domestic tyranny

Government that serves its leaders or powerful groups while ignoring what ordinary people want.

• Citizens protested against political tyranny.
• The wealthy elite imposed a new tyranny.
• The constitution aims to prevent the tyranny of a ruling class.

Similar words: authoritarianism, despotism

Opposites: democracy

Common phrases: political tyranny, resist tyranny, tyranny of something

The position held by a ruler with complete power, or the territory that ruler controls.

• He seized the tyranny of the city.
• The ancient account describes his years in the tyranny.
• His son inherited the tyranny after his death.

Common phrases: hold the tyranny, seize the tyranny, ancient tyranny