tyranny

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "tyranny" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an oppressive form of government that is often characterized by cruelty or unchecked power. For example, "The dictator's tyranny resulted in years of suffering for his people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As for the non-zombie dystopian possible future: I can imagine an armed resistance against tyranny, I like to think I would want to be a part of it.

The Guardian - Opinion

It will not be defeated until our determination is as complete as theirs, our defence of freedom as absolute as their fanaticism, until our passion for the democratic way is as great as their passion for tyranny.

The Guardian

Paul Polman, chief executive of Unilever, who has joined the B Team, has for several years been critical of the tyranny of quarterly earnings reports and famously said he no longer wanted short term investors to buy shares in the company.

The Guardian

All that is left is a story to tell our children: a story of thousands of Syrian people who confronted Assad's tyranny and dictatorship with tremendous sacrifices, and yet the world turned its back on them; a revolution that was poisoned by intruders, traitors and foreign money.

The Guardian

That spawns the awful tyranny of the group gift: the pooling of resources to buy something they still don't want, but which is now too expensive to take to Age Concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wary, too, of advocating a tyranny of the nominal – a taxonomic need to point and name, with the intent of citing and owning – when in fact I perceive no opposition between precision and mystery, or between naming and not knowing.

The Guardian - Books

Freedom from local tyranny enables MPs to follow Edmund Burke's injunction, and vote for what they believe to be right, only if they reject the tyranny of Downing Street.

The Guardian

Parker said complications from the "potentially fatal side effects" of the RU486 drug, which he said were "very uncommon", were too risky for patients and doctors, and the Northern Territory, with its "tyranny of distance" was different from other states where most of the population had ready access to hospitals.

The Guardian

Speed cameras are regarded as instruments of tyranny.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hungary's strongman prime minister, Viktor Orbán, delivered a stinging broadside against Brussels on Thursday, likening EU bureaucracy to Soviet tyranny and casting himself in the mould of Hungarian heroes fighting to free the country from foreign domination since the 19th century.

The Guardian

But Pope Francis is making up for lost time: denouncing capitalism and the "tyranny" of the market, condemning inequality as the "root of social evil", rejecting Islamophobia and western warmaking – and even claiming communists are closet Christians who "have stolen our flag".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tyranny" to describe situations that are severely restrictive or controlling. Avoid using it in contexts where the control is mild or beneficial.

Common error

Avoid using "tyranny" to describe minor inconveniences or frustrations. The word carries a strong connotation of severe oppression and is not suitable for trivial matters. It is preferable to use "restrictions" or "constraints".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tyranny" is as a noun. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to a state of oppressive or unjust rule. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "tyranny" is used in similar grammatical roles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tyranny" functions as a noun denoting oppressive rule or unjust power, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its purpose is to express condemnation and highlight abuses of power. The word maintains a neutral to formal register, commonly appearing in news, business, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that "tyranny" is appropriate to use in written english. While grammatically correct, it should be reserved for contexts involving severe oppression to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despotism

Refers specifically to rule by a despot, implying cruelty and oppression.

dictatorship

Focuses on absolute authority concentrated in one person, often through force.

autocracy

Emphasizes self-rule, where one person holds unlimited power.

oppression

Highlights the act of subjugating or controlling others unjustly.

authoritarianism

Points to a system prioritizing state authority over individual freedoms.

absolute rule

Stresses the unlimited nature of power held by a ruler.

totalitarianism

Denotes a regime seeking total control over all aspects of life.

undemocratic regime

A broad term indicating the absence of democratic principles.

police state

Highlights the oppressive surveillance and control exerted by law enforcement.

reign of terror

Suggests extreme violence and intimidation as tools of control.

FAQs

How is "tyranny" used in a sentence?

"Tyranny" is used to describe a government or situation in which a ruler or authority has absolute power and uses it unjustly or cruelly. For example, "The revolution aimed to overthrow the king's tyranny."

What words are similar to "tyranny"?

Similar words include "despotism", "dictatorship", "autocracy", and "oppression". Each of these terms carries a slightly different nuance but all describe forms of unjust rule.

What is the difference between "tyranny" and "dictatorship"?

While both "tyranny" and "dictatorship" refer to forms of autocratic rule, "tyranny" emphasizes the unjust and cruel use of power, whereas "dictatorship" simply denotes rule by a dictator.

How can I avoid misusing the word "tyranny"?

Be mindful of the context and severity of the situation. "Tyranny" should be reserved for instances of severe oppression and unjust rule, not for minor inconveniences or disagreements. Alternatives like "restrictions" or "constraints" may be more appropriate in less severe scenarios.