strongman
noun
strong·man
ˈstrȯŋ-ˌman 
: 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
The more India interferes with democratic processes or props up unpopular strongmen, the wider the opening becomes for China.
—
Muhib Rahman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
Some of those deported had fled persecution by the regime of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, which has forced nearly eight million people to flee the country.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2025
It’s not lost on many that Suharto was granted the posthumous honor by Prabowo – a longtime supporter of Suharto’s regime, and once a part of the strongman’s family.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
At present, the only way to ensure that America avoids the future outlined here will be to win back power from its strongman leader, or possibly his successors.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strongman
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Muhib Rahman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
Some of those deported had fled persecution by the regime of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, which has forced nearly eight million people to flee the country.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2025
It’s not lost on many that Suharto was granted the posthumous honor by Prabowo – a longtime supporter of Suharto’s regime, and once a part of the strongman’s family.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
At present, the only way to ensure that America avoids the future outlined here will be to win back power from its strongman leader, or possibly his successors.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strongman
Cite this Entry
“Strongman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strongman. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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