as in dictator
a person who uses power or authority in a cruel, unjust, or harmful way
a Latin-American strongman who basically treated his nation's coffers as his personal bank account
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strongman
American apathy has many root causes — that’s another thing on our to-do list — but love of an unhinged strongman isn’t one of them.
—
Sabrina Haake, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound strongman also led the Americans with three goals, including the first one for his team on Thursday.
—Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
The Down-to-Earth Pope In a historic moment characterized by autocrats and would-be autocrats, Francis was the antithesis of a strongman.
—Bluesky Social, 21 Apr. 2025
Weakness in such moments is only an invitation to the strongman to dominate you further.
—Ars Staff, ArsTechnica, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strongman
Sabrina Haake, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound strongman also led the Americans with three goals, including the first one for his team on Thursday.
—Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
The Down-to-Earth Pope In a historic moment characterized by autocrats and would-be autocrats, Francis was the antithesis of a strongman.
—Bluesky Social, 21 Apr. 2025
Weakness in such moments is only an invitation to the strongman to dominate you further.
—Ars Staff, ArsTechnica, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strongman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strongman
Noun
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Syrian rebels overthrew dictator Bashar al Assad in December.—
Tom Perry,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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Libya has been embroiled in a political conflict since long-time dictator Moammar Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011, leading to the emergence of several armed groups.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
13 May 2025
Noun
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The Soviet dictator, the Man of Steel, was the type of tyrant that Trump chillingly admires.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2025
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Roman became too much of a tyrant to continue working with, and Jimmy turned on him for fear of being overshadowed.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strongman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strongman. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
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