strong-arm

1 of 2

adjective

: having or using undue force

strong-arm

2 of 2

verb

strong-armed; strong-arming; strong-arms

transitive verb

1
a
: to use force on : assault
2
: to rob by force

Examples of strong-arm in a Sentence

Verb developers trying to strong-arm homeowners into selling their houses at below-market prices
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Heritage Action had a different purpose—to strong-arm Republicans in Congress into acting more conservatively. Andy Kroll, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025 There have been 31 personal strong-arm robberies in 2025, versus 26 in 2024. Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
Don’t try and strong-arm anyone into supporting you, because that certainly won’t leave anyone impressed. Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2023 On Thursday Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne invoked Article 49 of the French constitution, which enabled the Macron government to strong-arm a bill through the National Assembly without a vote. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 16 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for strong-arm

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1897, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of strong-arm was in 1897

Cite this Entry

“Strong-arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strong-arm. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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