tyrant
tyrant Lexical Profile
tyrant Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A cruel, oppressive, and arbitrary ruler who exercises absolute power over a state or people without legal restraint.
"The historical drama chronicles how the people eventually united to overthrow the ruthless tyrant."
Any person in a position of domestic, professional, or social authority who uses power domineeringly or harshly over others.
"The head chef was a notorious tyrant in the kitchen, demanding absolute perfection on every plate."
In ancient Greece, an absolute ruler who seized sovereignty without legal right or hereditary succession, regardless of whether they governed benevolently or harshly.
"Peisistratus ruled Athens as a popular tyrant who championed the lower classes and funded major public works."
Any of various New World passerine birds belonging to the tyrant flycatcher family (Tyrannidae), widespread across North and South America and known for their aggressive defense of nesting territories against much larger birds.
"During our walk through the wetlands, we watched a pied water tyrant perched on the reeds darting after flying insects."
Word Nuance & Usage
In ancient Greek history, 'tyrant' was originally a neutral term for an absolute ruler who seized power outside the legal succession, whereas in modern usage it carries a strictly pejorative connotation of cruelty and oppression.
• Rhymes for tyrant
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French 'tiran' (later altered with an unetymological final '-t'), from Latin 'tyrannus', which came from Ancient Greek 'týrannos' ('absolute sovereign'), likely a pre-Greek Mediterranean or Anatolian loanword.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.