tyrant

[ tahy-ruhnt ]

noun

1. a sovereign or other ruler who uses power oppressively or unjustly.

   Synonyms: dictator, autocrat, despot

2. any person in a position of authority who exercises power oppressively or despotically.
3. a tyrannical or compulsory influence.
4. an absolute ruler, especially one in ancient Greece or Sicily.

tyrant

/ ˈtaɪrənt /

noun

1. a person who governs oppressively, unjustly, and arbitrarily; despot
2. any person who exercises authority in a tyrannical manner
3. anything that exercises tyrannical influence
4. (esp in ancient Greece) a ruler whose authority lacked the sanction of law or custom; usurper

Other Words From

• under·tyrant noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tyrant¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English tirant, from Old French, earlier tiran (with the addition of t by association with -ant ( def ) ), from Latin tyrannus, from Greek týrannos, of uncertain origin, perhaps Anatolian

Word History and Origins

Origin of tyrant¹

C13: from Old French tyrant, from Latin tyrannus, from Greek turannos

Example Sentences

In a retirement speech in September 2023, Milley — who worries about being recalled to active duty and court-martialed under a new Trump administration, according to Woodward’s latest book, “War” — offered an indirect commentary widely presumed to refer to the former president: “We don’t take an oath to a king or a queen, to a tyrant or dictator, or wannabe dictator.”

From Los Angeles Times

When he was a backbench MP in 2018, David Lammy described Trump as a "tyrant" and "a woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath".

From BBC

Harris has cast Trump as a dangerous, revenge-seeking tyrant who would use the military against American citizens who disagree with him, help only the wealthy and his “billionaire donors,” and threaten the lives of women by further eroding their rights to abortion and other medical care.

From Los Angeles Times

“They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant.”

From Salon

“They did not struggle, sacrifice and lay down their lives, only to see us cede our fundamental freedoms, only to see us submit to the will of another petty tyrant,” Harris said.

From Salon

Related Words

• autocrat
• bully
• despot
• dictator
• oppressor