tyranny

Cruel and oppressive rule or government; the arbitrary use of power.

• tyrant/ˈtaɪərənt/(n)暴君
• tyrannical/tɪˈrænɪkəl/(adj)专制的
• tyrannise/ˈtɪrənaɪz/(v)实施暴政

• tyranny of the majority
• live under tyranny
• overthrow tyranny
• resist tyranny
• tyranny of choice

1. 1.The citizens eventually rose up against the tyranny of a regime that had held power for four decades. (political)
2. 2.The book explores the quiet tyranny of social conformity — how pressure to fit in can suppress individuality. (metaphorical)

• despotism/ˈdɛspətɪzəm/— government by a single ruler with absolute power
• oppression/əˈprɛʃən/— prolonged cruel treatment
• authoritarianism/ɔːˌθɒrɪˈtɛəriənɪzəm/— enforcement of obedience at the expense of freedom

from Greek "tyrannia" = absolute rule, from "tyrannos" = absolute ruler (originally without negative connotation)