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.

Abelardo de la Espriella, a rich lawyer who promised an iron-fisted crackdown on drug thugs, finished ahead of ruling movement’s leftist hopeful.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Mali's once robust tourism sector has dried up in recent years after an iron-fisted junta came to power in back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021 and as Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists waged a campaign of attacks.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

A key focus will be if he seeks to steer Cambodia out of the orbit of China and patch up ties with the United States that have perennially been strained by his father's iron-fisted approach.

From Reuters • Jul. 22, 2023

For now, however, Wagner’s clients seem prepared to take Moscow at its word, perhaps unwilling or in some cases, frightened, to contemplate governing without the group’s iron-fisted backing.

From New York Times • Jun. 29, 2023

Opening his locker, Ben unpacked his uniform and stared at the new Converse All Stars Bull had bought him, a purchase that had gone unreported to the iron-fisted keeper of the books, Lillian Meecham.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy