strongman

noun

strong·​man ˈstrȯŋ-ˌman 

: one who leads or controls by force of will and character or by military methods

Synonyms of strongman

• dictator
• tyrant

Examples of strongman in a Sentence

a Latin-American strongman who basically treated his nation's coffers as his personal bank account

Recent Examples on the Web

Eddie Hall, probably the UK’s most famous strongman, won the World’s Strongest Man title in 2017 and was the first to deadlift 500kg. — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

That distinction could become central to Maduro’s attempt to separate his case from that of former Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega, one of the closest historical comparisons. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

However, the heavyweight co-main event, pitting popular strongman Larry Wheels against Vitaly, is expected to be a significant draw. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Hanke even survived a close call when Yugoslav strongman Slobodan Milosevic spread rumors the economist was a French spy and dispatched a hit squad to assassinate him. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for strongman

• afghan
• bedpan
• began
• caveman
• chapin
• cyan
• deadpan
• dextran
• divan
• doorman
• fishman
• flagman