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US /ˈtɪɹənəs/ UK /ˈtɪr.ə.nəs/
Freq #117349

Meanings

  1. 1

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adj · using authority in a cruel,... tyrannicaldespoticoppressiveautocratic
Opposites
Word family
Derived forms tyrannouslytyrannousness

Etymology

Formed in late Middle English from Latin tyrannus, 'tyrant,' plus the adjective-forming suffix -ous. Tyrannus came from Greek tyrannos, a ruler with absolute power, and the English word developed the strongly negative sense of oppressive rule.

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