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
Many, however, see the strikes as a warning to Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, who faces criminal charges in the United States and has a $50 million reward for information that leads to his capture.
—
Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
With so many governments today led by strongmen—or would-be strongmen—in Africa and beyond, Odinga’s passing is a landmark loss.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
The strongman leader broke precedent to remain head of the party and the state for a third term starting in 2022, and has so far avoided elevating an heir apparent.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025
These links help explain why strongman leaders often use misinformation symbolically to impress and control a population.
—Abraham Rutchick, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strongman
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Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
With so many governments today led by strongmen—or would-be strongmen—in Africa and beyond, Odinga’s passing is a landmark loss.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
The strongman leader broke precedent to remain head of the party and the state for a third term starting in 2022, and has so far avoided elevating an heir apparent.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025
These links help explain why strongman leaders often use misinformation symbolically to impress and control a population.
—Abraham Rutchick, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 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 30 Oct. 2025.
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