jackbooted

American  

[jak-boo-tid] / ˈdʒækˌbu tɪd /

adjective

1. wearing jackboots.

2. brutally and oppressively bullying.

   a jackbooted militarism.

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Etymology

Origin of jackbooted

First recorded in 1840–50; jackboot + -ed ³

Example Sentences

Komasa knows authoritarianism in its most flagrant, brutal forms, but his new film “Anniversary” imagines a scenario in which fascism doesn’t stomp in, jackbooted, but creeps, pretty and ladylike, on kitten-heeled feet.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2025

Sparks, grand without being beautiful, has one of the few steakhouse wine lists that don’t try to strong-arm you into getting an expensive, jackbooted red.

From New York Times • Oct. 26, 2021

There is a publicity photo of the Cinna the Poet scene, with Joseph Cotten appearing as one of the jackbooted thugs; Cotten had playfully signed it, “To my greatest admirer, Norman Lloyd.”

From The New Yorker • Dec. 4, 2015

What’s more, Radar does not dispatch a V for Vendetta fantasy of jackbooted thugs to people’s doors after it uncovers a worrisome tweet.

From Slate • Nov. 4, 2014

Then four jackbooted, riot-helmeted dropcops jumped out and ran into the building, followed by a guy in a suit.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline