Showing definitions for iron fist

SEE ALSO

Fictional Characters dictionary results for Iron Fist

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.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• iron-fisted
  adjective
• ironfisted
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• iron fists
  plural

Example Sentences

Prosecutors say El Hishri ran the prison with an iron fist, with special responsibility over the women's section.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

Into this chaos walks a man with an iron fist, a famous surname and zero tolerance for insubordination.

From BBC • May 13, 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

"We need someone who shows an iron fist," Jacqueline Ruz, a 56-year-old Kast supporter, told AFP at his final rally this week in Santiago.

From Barron's • Nov. 16, 2025

He’s been running it with an iron fist ever since.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman