strong-arm

1 of 2

adjective

ˈstrȯŋ-ˈärm 

: 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

b

: bully, intimidate

2

: to rob by force

Synonyms of strong-arm

Verb

• intimidate
• bully
• coerce

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

Adjective

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s attempts to strong-arm the bond market have been drowned out by the Iran war’s steady drumbeat, with oil back above $100 a barrel. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026

The Ross Police Department said 25-year-old Travis Patricca of McCandless is facing charges of robbery, simple assault and possessing instruments of crime after the strong-arm robbery in the shopping center's parking lot. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

Verb

If anything, Trump’s escalating attempts to strong-arm people into a supposedly nicer term for AI makes him — and the industry itself — look awfully weak. — Adi Robertson, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026

Only to see them, after winning elections, get strong-armed by the party, then offer lame excuses as to why. — Colleen Kujawa, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1897, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for strong-arm

• alarm
• disarm
• forearm
• gendarme
• nonfarm
• rearm
• arm
• charm
• farm
• harm
• firearm
• underarm