Word
strongman
Phoneticsstrong·man
US/ˈstɹɔŋˌmæn/
UK/stɹˈɒŋmən/
Definition
n. a leader who rules a country by using force and fear instead of following laws or listening to other people. This person usually stays in power by controlling the police and the army.
n. a leader who maintains power through physical force, intimidation, or the suppression of political opposition. Often used to describe authoritarian figures who bypass democratic institutions.
Examples
“The country was ruled by a strongman for over thirty years.”
“After the military coup, the new strongman consolidated his power by banning all independent political parties.”
“Political analysts argue that the rise of a strongman is often a response to perceived institutional failures, as citizens seek a single figure to restore order and stability.”
Examples
simple
“The country was ruled by a strongman for over thirty years.”
contextual
“After the military coup, the new strongman consolidated his power by banning all independent political parties.”
complex
“Political analysts argue that the rise of a strongman is often a response to perceived institutional failures, as citizens seek a single figure to restore order and stability.”
Etymology
From strong + -man.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/strongman