STRONG-ARM Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

strong-arm

verb

Definition of strong-arm

as in to intimidate

to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats developers trying to strong-arm homeowners into selling their houses at below-market prices

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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.

Recent Examples of strong-arm Detectives began a monthslong investigation after a June 14 strong-arm robbery near 11th Street and Washington Avenue, Officer Christopher Bess, spokesperson for the Miami Beach Police Department, said in a statement. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026 Police have launched a homicide investigation after a man died from injuries suffered in an altercation that was initially reported as a possible strong-arm robbery, a police spokesman said. — Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2026 Attempts to muffle creative voices through bullying and strong-arm tactics are fundamentally anti-American and have become all too common in recent years. — Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026 And if two media companies were strong-armed out of the deal, were their First Amendment rights violated? — Robertas Bakula, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strong-arm

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strong-arm

Verb

Politicians could no longer rely on local patrons to intimidate people into voting for them and had to compete on representing their interests.

— Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
Drivers who intimidate on purpose are surprisingly plentiful.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of intimidate

Verb

As recess is one of the most active places for bullying to take place, Rhea wanted to counteract that trend.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026
Washington should project vision and leadership to its friends, not jarring uncertainty and bullying transactionalism.

— Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of bully

Verb

The initiative specifically targets performers who coerce visitors for cash or falsely imply that tipping is mandatory, FOX5 said.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
According to Moscow’s defense intellectuals, Russia may need to change its posture to contain this trend, including by seeking new tools to keep Europe at bay and to coerce it below the nuclear threshold.

— Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of coerce

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strong

strong-arm

strong-armed

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“Strong-arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strong-arm. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of strong-arm

verb

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