tyrant
Tyrant (noun) means a ruler who governs cruelly and unfairly, often having seized power illegally. Example: “The people finally rose up against the tyrant.”
How to use tyrant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA cruel, unjust ruler — or, more loosely, anyone who bosses others around harshly.
Word forms
tyranted past tense, tyrants plural, tyrants singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The people finally rose up against the _____.
Etymology
From Old French tyrant, ultimately from the Greek word for a usurper or absolute ruler.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “tyrant” mean?
The word “tyrant” means a ruler who governs cruelly and unfairly, often having seized power illegally. In plain terms, a cruel, unjust ruler — or, more loosely, anyone who bosses others around harshly.
How do you pronounce “tyrant”?
“Tyrant” is pronounced TEYE-ruhnt (/ˈtaɪɹənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “tyrant” in a sentence?
Here is “tyrant” used in a sentence: “The people finally rose up against the tyrant.”
What part of speech is “tyrant”?
“Tyrant” is a noun.
Where does the word “tyrant” come from?
The word “tyrant” comes from Old French. From Old French tyrant, ultimately from the Greek word for a usurper or absolute ruler.
Is “tyrant” a common word?
“Tyrant” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “tyrant” have?
“Tyrant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a ruler who governs cruelly and unfairly, often having seized power illegally.