strongman

noun

ˈstrȯŋ-ˌman How to pronounce strongman (audio)
Definition of strongmannext
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

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 strongman Robert Mugabe, longtime strongman of Zimbabwe, printed money to ensure his party kept control of the country and to finance the nation's deficits. — Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026 Welcome to the peculiar world of strongman competition, where huge athletes achieve astonishing physical feats but in an environment of respect and camaraderie. — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Heavyweights almost always draw more attention and Wheels, a popular online strongman seems to have tons of fan interest. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Hanke even survived a close call when Yugoslav strongman Slobodan Milosevic spread rumors the economist was a French spy and dispatched a hit squad to assassinate him. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strongman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strongman
  1. dictator
  2. tyrant
Noun
  • Ali Abdullah Saleh, the longtime dictator of Yemen, was overthrown during the Arab Spring and the Houthis were able to seize a large chunk of territory.
    — Ariana Aspuru, Vox, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Without principle, without a moral compass, with no checks and balances, our would-be-dictator is an embarrassing stain on the soul of a once-proud America.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of dictator
Noun
  • He got obsessed with building an empire, started Solar Productions, and became a tyrant both on set and off.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Plato warned that an unhealthy democracy can easily fall prey to a tyrant.
    — Kenneth Michael White, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of tyrant

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strongly
strongman
strongmen
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Cite this Entry

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

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