noun dominance through threat of punishment and violence.noun a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.).noun The office or jurisdiction of an absolute ruler.įrom WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University.noun A government in which a single ruler (a tyrant) has absolute power.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.įrom Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.See oppression.įrom the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English. noun Synonyms Despotism, Autocracy, etc.noun A tyrannical action or proceeding an instance of despotic rule or conduct.noun Arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power despotic abuse of anthority unmerciful rule.noun Hence A tyrannical government a lawless autocracy or despotism.noun The office or incumbency of a tyrant a tyrant's administration or tenure the system of government by tyrants.noun The rule of a tyrant in the ancient sense the personal government of one of the Greek tyrants a state or government having an uncontrolled ruler bearing the title of tyrant.noun An oppressive or harshly limiting condition.noun The oppressive or unjust use of power.noun The office, authority, or jurisdiction of an absolute ruler.noun A government in which a single ruler is vested with absolute power.noun Unjust or oppressive governmental power.From The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

Tyranny definition