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
In 2008, a constitutional provision limiting presidents to a maximum of two terms forced Russia’s strongman, Vladimir Putin, to step aside.
—
Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
This gradual breakdown of self-worth can push the underdog into aligning their life with the strongman’s desires rather than their own.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
The cartoonist also portrays his father as sliding, over the years, into a state of permanent bitterness toward the West and an embrace of anti-democratic Arab strongmen.
—Richard Fausset, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Both Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin strongman, and the beleaguered Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, have cautiously welcomed Trump’s blustering intervention.
—Matthew Chance, CNN, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strongman
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.
Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
This gradual breakdown of self-worth can push the underdog into aligning their life with the strongman’s desires rather than their own.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
The cartoonist also portrays his father as sliding, over the years, into a state of permanent bitterness toward the West and an embrace of anti-democratic Arab strongmen.
—Richard Fausset, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Both Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin strongman, and the beleaguered Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, have cautiously welcomed Trump’s blustering intervention.
—Matthew Chance, CNN, 16 Jan. 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 11 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share