tyrannize
/'tirənaiz/ Cách viết khác : (tyrannize) /'tirənaiz/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To rule or exercise power over (somebody) in a cruel and autocratic manner: To control someone harshly and unfairly, using one's authority to oppress them.
- To rule a country as a tyrant: To govern a nation with absolute power, often in a cruel and oppressive way.
Usage and Examples
- Verb:
- The dictator used his secret police to tyrannize the population.
- She felt her boss was trying to tyrannize her with constant, unreasonable demands.
- A leader should inspire, not tyrannize, their people.
Advanced Usage
- "to tyrannize over": An older or more formal construction meaning to act as a tyrant towards someone or a group.
- The colonial power was accused of tyrannizing over the indigenous people for decades.
Variants and Related Words
- Tyrannical (adj): Exercising power in a cruel or arbitrary way.
- The king's tyrannical rule led to a popular revolt.
- Tyranny (n): Cruel and oppressive government or rule.
- The citizens lived in fear under his tyranny.
- Tyrant (n): A cruel and oppressive ruler.
- History remembers him as a brutal tyrant.
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 or political or religious beliefs.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Tyrannize over: (See 'Advanced Usage' above).
Related Idioms
- Rule with an iron fist: To govern in a very strict and often cruel manner.
- The general ruled the province with an iron fist, tyrannizing anyone who opposed him.
Verb
- rule or exercise power over (somebody) in a cruel and autocratic manner
- her husband and mother-in-law tyrannize her
- rule a country as a tyrant