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
Anti-Japanese sentiment has simmered in the country since that time – flaring up and gaining traction in recent years with nationalist hardliners’ voices becoming increasingly mainstream in China under strongman leader Xi Jinping.
—
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine shattered any remaining illusions of benevolent strongman rule.
—Jane Harman, Foreign Affairs, 13 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
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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Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine shattered any remaining illusions of benevolent strongman rule.
—Jane Harman, Foreign Affairs, 13 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
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 29 Nov. 2025.
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