Did you know?
What makes someone a tyrant?
A glance at the comments posted in response to our definition of tyrant illustrate two things: the word has a fairly wide spectrum of meaning, and many political rulers of late (regardless of party and action) are thought by some to merit this description. The word is often now found used as a generalized term of reproach ("he was a real tyrant in the kitchen"), and also with more specific denotation ("the tyrant suspended the country’s judicial code"). The definitions we give for words match, as best as possible, the manner in which these words are used. We cannot offer judgment on whether or not any specific individual is or is not a tyrant.
Examples of tyrant in a Sentence
Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
King George is a tyrant who is unfit to lead people.
—arkansasonline.com, 4 July 2025
Noni finds herself up against Lion’s violent henchmen and women in series of fight-to-the-death encounters aboard the tyrant’s grandiose sailing ship, which lies at the heart of a vast naval fleet.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 June 2025
While the modern world rages outside their four walls, everything inside is immune to the tyrant of time.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tyrant
Cite this Entry
“Tyrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tyrant. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tyrant
noun
Share