tyranny; despotic rule
Refers to oppressive, unjust government or rule by a tyrant. Often used in political or historical contexts.
その国は長年暴政に苦しめられてきた。
That country has suffered under tyranny for many years.
歴史は暴政の危険性を繰り返し示している。
History repeatedly shows the dangers of despotic rule.
暴政 refers to tyrannical rule as a system of governance, while 暴虐 highlights the brutal, violent nature of specific acts.
Compound of 暴 (ぼう, 'violent, outrageous') and 政 (せい, 'government, rule'). The word is a straightforward Sino-Japanese term for tyrannical rule.