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Definitions

strongman

[strawng-man, strong-] / ˈstrɔŋˌmæn, ˈstrɒŋ- /
NOUN
dictator
Synonyms
STRONGEST
autocrat despot tyrant
STRONG
absolutist adviser authoritarian boss chief commander disciplinarian leader magnate mogul oligarch oppressor ringleader totalitarian tycoon usurper
WEAK
Big Brother man on horseback slavedriver
Antonyms
STRONG
employee follower worker

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There are no such qualms about portraits of 73-year-old strongman leader Emomali Rakhmon -- which have replaced many of the torn-down facades.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

“The fundamentals are still there, and some strongman will rise to the top as they always do,” Levin said.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

And assuming it does, how will it act in the role of the continent's strongman?

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

In fact he is the opposite — a domineering strongman who seeks to bully everyone around him into compliance.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

She couldn’t see Papa, but Mama was feverishly digging, flinging big bags around like she was a strongman.

From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata