Definition of strongman
: one who leads or controls by force of will and character or by military methods
From the M-W Editors
Examples of strongman in a Sentence
a Latin-American strongman who basically treated his nation's coffers as his personal bank account
Recent Examples of strongman from the Web
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Mr Kagame’s supporters and admirers take the view that a strongman with a long-term plan can be better for development than lots of squabbling factions.
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Over the past two weeks, Trump has signaled his growing exasperation with Xi for China's failure to pressure North Korean strongman Kim Jong-un to abandon his quest to develop nuclear missiles capable of striking the United States.
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After praising Vladimir Putin on Russian TV and sharing a photo op with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Lindsay Lohan has found a new strongman to cozy up to.
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The motion deals a severe blow to President Yameen Abdul Gayoom, whose control over parliament was threatened by a new understanding between the Maldives’ former strongman and its first democratically elected president, Mohamed Nasheed.
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The motion deals a severe blow to President Yameen Abdul Gayoom, whose control over parliament was threatened by a new understanding between the Maldives’ former strongman and its first democratically elected president, Mohamed Nasheed.
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Read more: Local photographers on the frontline of Duterte’s drug war reflect on the images that moved them most Like that of U.S. President Donald Trump, the rise of the Philippine strongman did not happen in a vacuum.
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The variable-valve-lift engine is the strongman of the class, however, at 280 horses and 306 lb-ft of torque.
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In one video recorded during the attack, the Turkish strongman can be seen looking on as his bodyguards clashed with protesters opposed to his regime.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'strongman.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of strongman
1859
STRONGMAN Defined for English Language Learners
strongman
playDefinition of strongman for English Language Learners
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: a politician or leader who uses violence or threats
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: a man who performs in a circus and who is very strong
Learn More about strongman
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See words that rhyme with strongman Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for strongman Britannica English: Translation of strongman for Arabic speakers
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