Synonyms

ironhanded

American

[ahy-ern-han-did] / ˈaɪ ərnˈhæn dɪd /

Also iron-fisted, ironfisted

adjective

having or governing with an iron hand; strict, harsh, or autocratic.

The new boss turned out to be an arrogant, ironhanded tyrant.

adverb

with an iron hand.

What makes a politician great is not the ability to rule ironhanded, but an understanding of people and the changing times.

Other Word Forms

ironhandedly adverb
ironhandedness noun

Etymology

Origin of ironhanded

First recorded in 1760–70; iron + handed

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.

Old Nelson's fiercest expletive was "my goodness gracious," but he was so ironhanded in his domination of the Senate that "Aldrichism" became a term of opprobrium.

From Time Magazine Archive

Others called the ironhanded regime of the Resident General, Old Soldier Augustin Guillaume, a "police state," and even saw a prospect of civil war.

From Time Magazine Archive

But the changes are unlikely to convince the Iraqi masses that the regime has truly turned over a new leaf, especially since the ironhanded Interior Minister, Ali Hassan Majid, has kept his job.

From Time Magazine Archive

Instead of suggesting the ironhanded vulgarian of a millionaire, whose god is business, De Feraudy reminds one of Mr. Jiggs in the comic supplement series, Bringing Up Father.

From Time Magazine Archive

Right ceases to reign, force asserts itself, and Bismarck, ironhanded, invincible, holds sway over a scared, unresisting, one may say a soulless world.

From The Arena Volume 4, No. 21, August, 1891 by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023