/ ˈtɪrəni; NAmE / noun [ U , C ] ( pl. -ies )
1.
unfair or cruel use of power or authority :
a victim of oppression and tyranny
The children had no protection against the tyranny of their father.
the tyrannies of Nazi rule
( figurative )
These days it seems we must all submit to the tyranny of the motor car.
2.
the rule of a tyrant ; a country under this rule
SYN dictatorship :
Any political system refusing to allow dissent becomes a tyranny.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French tyrannie , from late Latin tyrannia , from Latin turannus , from Greek turannos .