iron fist

American  

[ahy-ern fist] / ˈaɪ ərn ˈfɪst /

noun

iron fists plural

1. authority or power wielded in a cruel, dictatorial, or repressive way.

   The lecture described the torments that befell many artists under the iron fist of Stalin.

   This tyrant ruled the country with an iron fist until he was finally deposed and executed.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• iron-fisted
  adjective
• ironfisted
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• iron fists
  plural

Example Sentences

Hoover was competent and corrupt, famously controlling the FBI with an iron fist.

From Salon • May 8, 2026

“Iran brought down the iron fist with speed and ferocity we haven’t seen before,” said Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 17, 2026

He had succeeded his father Omar Bongo Ondimba, who ruled with an iron fist for nearly 42 years until his death in 2009.

From Barron's • Nov. 12, 2025

Former president Suharto, who died in 2008 aged 86, ruled Indonesia with an iron fist for more than three decades after grabbing power in 1967 following a failed military coup.

From Barron's • Nov. 4, 2025

It was as though an iron fist had clenched suddenly around Harry’s heart.

From "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling