strongman

noun

strong·​man ˈstrȯŋ-ˌman How to pronounce strongman (audio)
Synonyms of strongmannext
: one who leads or controls by force of will and character or by military methods

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
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.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of strongman was in 1859

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Cite this Entry

“Strongman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strongman. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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