TOP

Definition of tyrannize verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

tyrannize

verb
 
/ˈtɪrənaɪz/
 
/ˈtɪrənaɪz/
(British English also tyrannise)
[transitive, intransitive]
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they tyrannize
 
/ˈtɪrənaɪz/
 
/ˈtɪrənaɪz/
he / she / it tyrannizes
 
/ˈtɪrənaɪzɪz/
 
/ˈtɪrənaɪzɪz/
past simple tyrannized
 
/ˈtɪrənaɪzd/
 
/ˈtɪrənaɪzd/
past participle tyrannized
 
/ˈtɪrənaɪzd/
 
/ˈtɪrənaɪzd/
-ing form tyrannizing
 
/ˈtɪrənaɪzɪŋ/
 
/ˈtɪrənaɪzɪŋ/
jump to other results
  1. to use your power to treat somebody in a cruel or unfair way
    • tyrannize somebody/something a father who tyrannizes his children
    • Companies must not be allowed to exploit and tyrannize employees made desperate by economic collapse.
    • tyrannize over somebody/something Since he took power five years ago, he has tyrannized over the people of this small nation.
    see also tyrant
    Word Originlate 15th cent.: from French tyranniser, from tyran ‘tyrant’.
See tyrannize in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
ripple effect
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Change, cause and effect
C2
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day