Definition

1. 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

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