tyrannize

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Middle French tyranniser, equivalent to tyranny +‎ -ize.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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tyrannize (third-person singular simple present tyrannizes, present participle tyrannizing, simple past and past participle tyrannized)

  1. (transitive) To oppress (someone).
    • 1929, Edgar Wallace, “The Tyrant of the House”, in The Iron Grip[1], London: George Newnes:
      In truth he was the type of man who is spoilt by the submission of weaker people than himself. There are such men, who must either be tyrannized or be tyrants []
    • 2001, Breena Clarke, “Roots of Success” (review of On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C. J. Walker by A’Lelia Bundles), Chicago Tribune, 18 February, 2001,[2]
      I spent the first 18 years of my life tyrannized by a red-hot hair-pressing comb. Well, maybe tyrannized is an exaggeration. But covering your ears while hot grease sizzles nearby is not a young girl's idea of a fun time.
  2. (intransitive) To rule as a tyrant.
    The prince tyrannized over his subjects.

Translations

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