Definition

1. Verb:
   • To rule over or control someone in a cruel, oppressive, and unjust manner, using power arbitrarily.
   • To govern a country or group as a tyrant, with absolute power and often brutal force.

Usage

The verb "tyrannise" (also spelled "tyrannize") describes the act of exercising power cruelly and despotically. It is often used with the preposition "over" when specifying the target of the oppression. - Transitive use (direct object): The dictator tyrannised his people for decades. - Intransitive use (with 'over'): The manager was accused of tyrannising over his staff.

Examples

• The cruel king was known to tyrannise his subjects, imposing harsh taxes and punishments.
• Bullies often try to tyrannise weaker classmates.
• She felt her older brother would tyrannise over her if given the chance.
• A government that tyrannises its citizens will eventually face rebellion.

Advanced Usage

• "to tyrannise over": This phrasal construction emphasizes the act of wielding oppressive power a person or group.
  • The new regime quickly began to tyrannise over the minority populations.

Variants and Related Words

• Tyrannize: The more common spelling, especially in American English. It is a direct variant of "tyrannise".
• Tyrant (n): A ruler who exercises power in a cruel and oppressive way.
• Tyrannical (adj): Characteristic of a tyrant; unjustly cruel, harsh, and oppressive.
  • He was removed from his position for his tyrannical management style.
• Tyranny (n): Cruel and oppressive government or rule.
  • The people rose up against the tyranny.

Synonyms

• Oppress: To keep someone in subservience and hardship, especially by the unjust exercise of authority.
• Domineer: To assert one's will over another in an arrogant way.
• Persecute: To subject someone to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of their race, religion, or political beliefs.
• Bully: To use superior strength or influence to intimidate someone, typically to force them to do something.

Antonyms

• Liberate: To set someone free from oppression.
• Emancipate: To set free, especially from legal, social, or political restrictions.
• Democratize: To introduce a democratic system or principles to a government or organization.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Rule with an iron fist: To govern in a very strict and cruel manner. This idiom is conceptually similar to "tyrannise".
  • The general ruled the occupied territory with an iron fist.

Verb

1. rule or exercise power over (somebody) in a cruel and autocratic manner
   • her husband and mother-in-law tyrannize her
2. rule a country as a tyrant