Definition

1. Noun:
   • Despotism; tyrannical power: The exercise of absolute power, often in a cruel and oppressive way.
   • Arbitrary authority: Authority that is unrestrained by law or the rights of others, wielded forcefully.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Nhân dân phản đối chế độ cường quyền. (The people oppose the despotic regime.)
  • Hắn ta cậy thế cường quyền để áp bức người khác. (He relies on tyrannical power to oppress others.)
  • Không gì có thể biện minh cho sự cường quyền. (Nothing can justify despotism.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in political, historical, or social critiques to describe abusive governance or unchecked authority.
• It can be part of fixed phrases like "thế lực cường quyền" (despotic forces) or "áp chế bằng cường quyền" (to suppress by tyrannical force).

Variants and Related Words

• Chuyên quyền (adj/n): Authoritarian; autocratic. Focuses more on centralized, arbitrary decision-making.
• Bạo quyền (n): Brutal tyranny; rule by brute force. Emphasizes violence and cruelty.
• Độc tài (adj/n): Dictatorial; dictatorship. A broader term for dictatorship.

Synonyms

• Tyranny: Cruel and oppressive government or rule.
• Despotism: The exercise of absolute power.
• Autocracy: A system of government by one person with absolute power.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Cậy cường quyền: To rely on/use one's despotic power (to do something unjust).
  • Kẻ ác thường cậy cường quyền để thị uy. (Evil people often rely on despotic power to intimidate.)
• Dưới ách cường quyền: Under the yoke of tyranny.
  • Đất nước đó đã chịu đựng dưới ách cường quyền suốt nhiều thập kỷ. (That country has endured under the yoke of tyranny for decades.)