tyrant
/ˈtaɪrənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtaɪrənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtī-rənt/ (ame, mw)
tyrant — noun
- tyrantsingular
- tyrantsplural
1. a ruler with total control over a nation who governs harshly and unjustly, ignor
a ruler with total control over a nation who governs harshly and unjustly, ignoring what the population wants or suffers.
The tyrant jailed every journalist who wrote about the failed harvest.
subject: the tyrant + transitive verb of repression
After thirty years under a cruel tyrant, the villagers finally marched on the palace.
collocation: cruel tyrant; pattern: under a tyrant
Historians estimate that the tyrant forced over ten thousand farmers off their land.
Yasmin's grandfather still remembers the night the tyrant's soldiers searched every house in the town.
When the tyrant finally fell, crowds gathered in the main square to celebrate.
- democrat
a ruler chosen by and answerable to the people, rather than ruling by force.
用法筆記
Subject is typically a head of state or absolute monarch; frequently used in historical and political writing. Distinguish from sense 2 (DOMINEERING PERSON), which refers to people abusing authority on a smaller, personal scale rather than ruling a country.
常見錯誤
2. someone in a small position of power — a boss, parent, coach, or teacher — who t
someone in a small position of power — a boss, parent, coach, or teacher — who treats the people under them in a harsh, controlling way without caring about their feelings.
The new office manager turned out to be a petty tyrant who refused to listen to anyone.
collocation: petty tyrant
Christopher became a tyrant after the head coach quit, making the players train until midnight.
Rohan's father was a domestic tyrant who controlled every detail of family life.
The waiters called the new head chef a tyrant behind his back, but never to his face.
Ada quit the team after one season, saying she could not work for such a tyrant.
- bully
uses threats or strength to intimidate; does not always hold formal authority, unlike a tyrant in this sense.
- oppressor
broader; anyone who keeps others down through harsh treatment, including outside personal settings.
- martinet
narrower; a strict person who insists on petty rules and discipline, without the cruelty 'tyrant' implies.
- pushover
informal; someone too easy on the people under them, the opposite of a controlling boss.
用法筆記
Often preceded by a modifier that specifies the setting: 'petty tyrant' (workplace, small group), 'domestic tyrant' (within a family). Distinguish from sense 1 (CRUEL RULER): sense 2 does NOT refer to political leaders, only to people abusing authority in everyday settings.