Rule or exercise power over (somebody) in a cruel and autocratic manner.

synonyms: tyrannise, tyrannize.

Roget 739: be severe etc. adj.. assume, usurp, arrogate, take liberties; domineer, bully etc. 885; tyrannize, inflict, wreak, stretch a point, put on the screw; be hard upon; bear a heavy hand on, lay a heavy hand on; be down upon, come down upon; ill treat; deal hardly with, deal hard measure to; rule with a rod of iron, chastise with scorpions; dye with blood; oppress, override; trample under foot; tread under foot, tread upon, trample upon, tread down upon, trample down upon; crush under an iron heel, ride roughshod over; rivet the yoke; hold a tight hand, keep a tight hand; force down the throat; coerce etc. 744; give no quarter etc. (pitiless) 914.1. ... show more

Roget 885: be insolent etc. adj.; bluster, vapor, swagger, swell, give oneself airs, snap one's fingers, kick up a dust; swear etc. (affirm) 535; rap out oaths; roister.    arrogate; assume, presume; make bold, make free; take a liberty, give an inch and take an ell.    domineer, bully, dictate, hector; lord it over; traiter de haut en bas [Fr.], regarder de haut en bas [Fr.]; exact; snub, huff.   , beard, fly in the face of; put to the blush; bear down, beat down; browbeat, intimidate; trample down, tread down, trample under foot; dragoon, ride roughshod over.    out face, outlook, outstare, outbrazen^†, outbrave^†; stare out of countenance; brazen out; lay down the law; teach one's grandmother to suck eggs; assume a lofty bearing; talk big, look big; put on big looks, act the grand seigneur [Fr.]; mount the high horse, ride the high horse; toss the head, carry, with a high hand.    tempt Providence, want snuffing.    ... show more

Dutch: overheersen, tiranniseren