tyrant

Everyday

1. A tyrant is a ruler who uses power cruelly and unfairly and does not let people choose or change their leaders. tree →
2. (informal) A tyrant is anyone who bosses others about cruelly, such as a bossy boss, teacher or older sibling. tree →
3. (history) In ancient Greece a tyrant was a ruler who took power by force, not always cruel. tree →

In the lessons

In history and politics lessons a tyrant is the opposite of a fair, chosen leader; people fight tyranny with laws, elections and courts. In stories tyrants are kings, queens or giants who frighten everyone until heroes stand up to them. Phrases: a cruel tyrant, overthrow a tyrant, petty tyrant, tyranny.

Examples

• The people rose up against the cruel tyrant. tree →
• The tyrant threw anyone who disagreed into prison. tree →
• In the fairy tale, the tyrant king took all the farmers' food. tree →
• My big sister is a tyrant when it's her turn to choose the TV. tree →
• Ancient Athens was once ruled by tyrants. tree →
• Elections help stop a tyrant from taking power. tree →
• Tyrannosaurus rex means «tyrant lizard king». tree →
• The tyrant can always find an excuse for his tyranny. tree →

Note

Plural tyrants. Related words: tyranny (cruel rule), tyrannical (cruel and bossy). Do not confuse tyrant with «tirade» (a long angry speech).

In Jewish tradition

It means a cruel, proud ruler. Isaiah uses it for the powerful oppressors whom God will bring low.

Interpretation. The prophets teach that God will humble proud rulers. Tradition reads this as a promise of justice in the end for those who suffer under cruel power.

Examples

• And I will visit upon the world their evil, and upon the wicked their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the tyrants. (Prophets ISA.13.11, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural tyrants. Related words: tyranny (cruel rule), tyrannical (cruel and bossy). Do not confuse tyrant with «tirade» (a long angry speech).