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View synonyms for tyrannize

tyrannize

[ tir-uh-nahyz ]

verb (used without object)

, tyr·an·nized, tyr·an·niz·ing.
  1. to exercise absolute power or control, especially cruelly or oppressively (often followed by over ).
  2. to govern despotically, cruelly, or oppressively.
  3. to govern or reign as a tyrant.


verb (used with object)

, tyr·an·nized, tyr·an·niz·ing.
  1. to rule or govern tyrannically; treat oppressively.

tyrannize

/ ˈtɪrəˌnaɪz /

verb

  1. whenintr, often foll by over to rule or exercise power (over) in a cruel or oppressive manner
“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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Derived Forms

  • ˈtyranˌnizer, noun
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Other Words From

  • tyran·nizer noun
  • tyran·nizing·ly adverb
  • outtyran·nize verb (used with object) outtyrannized outtyrannizing
  • un·tyran·nized adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of tyrannize1

1485–95; < French tyranniser < Late Latin tyrannizāre, equivalent to tyrann ( us ) tyrant + -izāre -ize
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Example Sentences

Functional adults can dismiss Ayn Rand and her petty tyrannizing over acolytes, her psychodramatic love affair with cult deputy Nathaniel Branden, and her continuing ability to inspire teenagers with a Nietzsche complex.

From Salon

Only to tyrannize behind the scenes and invariably whack others for his mistakes — coaches, general managers, executives by the score finding themselves slurred and slimed and used as human shields.

The larger the republic, the larger a majority faction must be to tyrannize minority factions.

Moscow, however, has used the language issue to paint the Kyiv government as ethnocentric “fascists” bent on tyrannizing Ukraine’s Russian-speaking population.

There was consolation in our solidarity — in objecting to those who segregated some of us and tyrannized the rest.

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