Meaning & use

tyrant

noun·Academic

A ruler who exercises power cruelly, unjustly, and without regard for the rights of others.

See it in a sentence

The people finally rose up against the tyrant who had ruled for thirty years.

Employees quietly called their demanding boss a tyrant behind his back.

A note on using this word

Tyrant can describe an oppressive ruler historically, or informally, anyone who treats others with excessive control or cruelty.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

liberator

Make it your own

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