tyrant

[ tahy-ruhnt ]
/ ˈtaɪ rənt /

noun

a sovereign or other ruler who uses power oppressively or unjustly.
any person in a position of authority who exercises power oppressively or despotically.
a tyrannical or compulsory influence.
an absolute ruler, especially one in ancient Greece or Sicily.

Origin of tyrant

1250–1300; Middle English tirant < Old French < Latin tyrannus < Greek týrannos

OTHER WORDS FROM tyrant

un·der·ty·rant, noun

Example sentences from the Web for tyrant

British Dictionary definitions for tyrant

tyrant
/ (ˈtaɪrənt) /

noun

a person who governs oppressively, unjustly, and arbitrarily; despot
any person who exercises authority in a tyrannical manner
anything that exercises tyrannical influence
(esp in ancient Greece) a ruler whose authority lacked the sanction of law or custom; usurper

Word Origin for tyrant

C13: from Old French tyrant, from Latin tyrannus, from Greek turannos