as in dictator
a person who uses power or authority in a cruel, unjust, or harmful way
a Latin-American strongman who basically treated his nation's coffers as his personal bank account
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strongman
Ironically, that war emboldened Iran, as the vicious Iraqi strongman was a regional counterbalance to the vicious mullahs.
—
Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
With such a destructive geopolitical conflict driven by several strongmen leaders, the industry was always going to feel the ramifications.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2026
The idea that the mere absence of one religious strongman will cause Jeffersonian democracy to bloom overnight is touching — almost Hallmark-worthy.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Chavismo is the term Venezuelans use to describe the regime first established by deceased strongman Hugo Chavez.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strongman
Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
With such a destructive geopolitical conflict driven by several strongmen leaders, the industry was always going to feel the ramifications.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2026
The idea that the mere absence of one religious strongman will cause Jeffersonian democracy to bloom overnight is touching — almost Hallmark-worthy.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Chavismo is the term Venezuelans use to describe the regime first established by deceased strongman Hugo Chavez.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strongman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strongman
Noun
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The organization recognized her history of opposing former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and named her the 2025 recipient of the prize in October.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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The title refers to the million Syrian refugees that were admitted into Germany during the brutal civil war that culminated with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad fleeing to Moscow in November 2024.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Colletti joins One Piece as Wapol, a tyrant and adversary to the Straw Hats.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
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At the time, Athens had just emerged from a period of dictatorship and some of his students had been among the tyrants who sought to take down Athens’ democracy.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strongman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strongman. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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