3 uses
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Definition
to control others harshly and unfairly; or a form of government with such control
- My Aunt Martha—like many Americans—could become quite tyrannical in the defense of democracy.p. 122.9
- " Well, Grandmother was so marvelous she brought the house down; it was a grand performance, rather wasted—in my opinion—on poor John and Constance, who were drearily played by a somewhat sheepish Mr. Fish, our dog-loving neighbor (and a regular choice of Dan's), and by the tyrannical Mrs. Walker, whose legs were her sexiest feature—and they were almost completely covered in the long dresses appropriate to this drawing-room comedy.p. 110.3
- Mrs. Walker, whose own term as a Vestry member was expiring—thus giving her even more energy for her Sunday school tyrannies—complained that attendance at the adult evening Bible study was flagging.p. 163.5
There are no more uses of "tyranny" in A Prayer for Owen Meany.
Typical Usage
(best examples)