Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Browse Nearby Entries
tyrannize
5 dictionary results for: tyrannize
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
tyr·an·nize       [tir-uh-nahyz] Pronunciation Key verb, -nized, -niz·ing.
–verb (used without object)
1.to exercise absolute power or control, esp. cruelly or oppressively (often fol. by over).
2.to govern despotically, cruelly, or oppressively.
3.to govern or reign as a tyrant.
–verb (used with object)
4.to rule or govern tyrannically; treat oppressively.
Also, especially British, tyr·an·nise.

[Origin: 1485–95; < F tyranniser < LL tyrannizāre, equiv. to tyrann(us) tyrant + -izāre -ize]

—Related forms
tyr·an·niz·er, noun
tyr·an·niz·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
tyr·an·nize       (tĭr'ə-nīz')  Pronunciation Key 
v.   tyr·an·nized, tyr·an·niz·ing, tyr·an·niz·es

v.   tr.
To treat tyrannically; oppress.

v.   intr.
  1. To exercise absolute power: "So it is the nature of such persons to insult and tyrannize over little people" (Henry Fielding).
  2. To rule as a tyrant.


[Middle English, from Old French tyranniser, from tyran, tyrant; see tyrant.]

tyr'an·niz'er n., tyr'an·niz'ing·ly adv.
(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
tyrannize

verb
1. rule a country as a tyrant 
2. rule or exercise power over (somebody) in a cruel and autocratic manner; "her husband and mother-in-law tyrannize her" 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Tyrannize

Tyr"an*nize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Tyrannized; p. pr. & vb. n. Tyrannizing.] [Cf. F. tyranniser, Gr. ? to take the part of tyrants.] To act the tyrant; to exercise arbitrary power; to rule with unjust and oppressive severity; to exercise power others not permitted by law or required by justice, or with a severity not necessary to the ends of justice and government; as, a prince will often tyrannize over his subjects; masters sometimes tyrannize over their servants or apprentices.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Tyrannize

Tyr"an*nize\, v. t. To subject to arbitrary, oppressive, or tyrannical treatment; to oppress.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
Share This:Share This: digg.comShare This: ma.gnolia.comShare This: www.stumbleupon.comShare This: del.icio.usShare This: FacebookShare This: favorites.live.comShare This: www.technorati.comShare This: furl.netShare This: myweb2.search.yahoo.comShare This: www.google.com