Definitions for tyranny
ˈtɪr ə nityran·ny

Princeton's WordNet(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. dictatorship, absolutism, authoritarianism, Caesarism, despotism, monocracy, one-man rule, shogunate, Stalinism, totalitarianism, tyranny(noun)

   a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)

2. absolutism, tyranny, despotism(noun)

   dominance through threat of punishment and violence

Wiktionary(4.00 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

1. tyranny(Noun)

   A government in which a single ruler (a tyrant) has absolute power.

2. tyranny(Noun)

   The office or jurisdiction of an absolute ruler.

3. tyranny(Noun)

   Absolute power, or its use.

4. tyranny(Noun)

   Extreme severity or rigour.

Webster Dictionary(4.50 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Tyranny(noun)

   the government or authority of a tyrant; a country governed by an absolute ruler; hence, arbitrary or despotic exercise of power; exercise of power over subjects and others with a rigor not authorized by law or justice, or not requisite for the purposes of government

2. Tyranny(noun)

   cruel government or discipline; as, the tyranny of a schoolmaster

3. Tyranny(noun)

   severity; rigor; inclemency

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Tyranny

   Tyranny is the third album by the progressive metal group Shadow Gallery, released in 1998. It is the first concept album made by the band, and the story that commences on this album is continued in the album Room V.

How to pronounce tyranny?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say tyranny in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of tyranny in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of tyranny in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of tyranny in a Sentence

1. James Otis:

   Taxation without representation is tyranny.

2. Henry Fielding:

   Where the law ends tyranny begins.

3. Aldous Huxley:

   The thin and precarious crust of decency is all that separates any civilization, however impressive, from the hell of anarchy or systematic tyranny which lie in wait beneath the surface.

4. Felix Frankfurter:

   If one man can be allowed to determine for himself what is law, every man can. That means first chaos, then tyranny. Legal process is an essential part of the democratic process.

5. Thomas Jefferson:

   The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Images & Illustrations of tyranny

Popularity rank by frequency of use