tyrant
A usurper; one who gains power and rules extralegally, distinguished from kings elevated by election or succession.
Other meanings
A despot; a ruler who governs unjustly, cruelly, or harshly.
Any person who abuses the power of position or office to treat others unjustly, cruelly, or harshly.
Related words
- anarchotyrant
- prototyrant
- undertyrant
- tyrant-air
- black-backed water tyrant
- chat-tyrant
- ground tyrant
- pygmy tyrant
- tit-tyrant
- tyrancy
- shrike-tyrant
- tyrant-manakin
Word history
From Ancient Greek "τύραννος" (usurper, monarch, despot).
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “tyrant” on Wiktionary, by its contributors, published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.