tyrant
TEYE-ruhnt
Tyrant (noun) means a ruler who governs cruelly and unfairly, often having seized power illegally. Example: “The people finally rose up against the tyrant.”
noun
1
A ruler who governs cruelly and unfairly, often having seized power illegally.
"The people finally rose up against the tyrant."
"He ruled the small kingdom like a tyrant, crushing any dissent."
2
Informally, anyone who treats the people under them harshly or unfairly.
"Her manager was a total tyrant about lunch breaks."
How to use tyrant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA cruel, unjust ruler — or, more loosely, anyone who bosses others around harshly.
Common pairings
a ruthless tyrant
act like a tyrant
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Word forms
- Plural
- tyrants
- Third person singular
- tyrants
- Past tense
- tyranted
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.
