tyrannizing
Ruling through terror
Tyrannizing is exercising oppressive power over others—ruling cruelly or dominating without mercy.
A dictator tyrannizes a nation; a schoolyard bully tyrannizes smaller children.
The word can describe systematic political oppression or more informal situations where someone exploits their authority: She accused her boss of tyrannizing the staff with impossible deadlines.
Bring under dominion
- persecuteHarass cruelly, persistently
- crushCompress with force
- suppressForcibly put an end to
- trampleCrush by stepping
victimize · dehumanize · enslave · repress · exploit · marginalize · stifle · torment
Control through superior strength
- manipulateControl through clever influence
- coerceObtain by intimidation
- micromanageExcessive oversight of subordinates
- overbearSubdue by superiority
dictate · command · boss · override · subjection · grip · stranglehold · iron fist
Absolute one-person rule
- autocracyRule by one
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
- authoritarianismConcentrated, unchecked governmental power
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
absolutism · junta · oligarchy · police state · martial law · iron curtain · reign of terror · puppet state
Ruler with absolute power
- dictatorRuler with total control
- autocratSole wielder of power
- oppressorOne who dominates cruelly
- overlordSupreme feudal superior
taskmaster · bully · tormentor · authoritarian · megalomaniac · strongman · warlord · tin-pot dictator
subjugate
Bring under dominion
trample · victimize · dehumanize · enslave · repress · exploit · marginalize · stifle · torment · brutalize
dominate
Control through superior strength
- manipulateControl through clever influence
- coerceObtain by intimidation
- micromanageExcessive oversight of subordinates
overbear · dictate · command · boss · override · subjection · grip · stranglehold · iron fist · rule
despotism
Absolute one-person rule
- autocracyRule by one
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
- authoritarianismConcentrated, unchecked governmental power
dictatorship · absolutism · junta · oligarchy · police state · martial law · iron curtain · reign of terror · puppet state · one-party rule
despot
Ruler with absolute power
overlord · taskmaster · bully · tormentor · authoritarian · megalomaniac · strongman · warlord · tin-pot dictator · martinet
intimidate
Instill fear to control
cow · browbeat · bully · frighten · alarm · dread · horror · trepidation · cower · tremble
tyrannizingliberating
Setting free from constraint
freeing · emancipating · enfranchising · unshackling · empowering
tyrannizingnurturing
Supportive care-giving
serving · protecting · caring for · supporting · empowering
tyrant, tyranny, tyrannical, tyrants, tyrannize, tyrannous, tyrannized, tyrannically, tyrannizes