Verb: tyrannize 'ti-ru,nIz
- Rule or exercise power over somebody in a cruel and autocratic manner
"her husband and mother-in-law tyrannize her";
- tyrannise [Brit], domineer
- Rule a country as a tyrant
"The dictator tyrannized the population with oppressive laws";
- tyrannise [Brit]
Derived forms: tyrannized, tyrannizing, tyrannizes
See also: grind
Type of: ballyrag [N. Amer, informal], boss, boss around [informal], browbeat, bully, bullyrag [N. Amer, informal], dictate, hector, push about [informal], push around [informal], strong-arm
Encyclopedia: Tyrannize