strong-arm

American

[strawng-ahrm, strong-] / ˈstrɔŋˌɑrm, ˈstrɒŋ- /

adjective

using, involving, or threatening the use of physical force or violence to gain an objective.

strong-arm methods.

verb (used with object)

to use violent methods upon; assault.
to rob by force.
to coerce by threats or intimidation; bully.

They strong-armed me into voting for the plan.

strong-arm British

noun

(modifier) relating to or involving physical force or violence

strong-arm tactics

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

(tr) to show violence towards

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of strong-arm

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

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.

"It is a certain restriction of our freedoms," Ivanov said of the plans to strong-arm users into switching.

From Barron's

As of October, he officially hates the Nobel committee for not giving him the peace prize, despite his efforts to strong-arm its members into voting for him.

From Salon

Over the past nine months, he has swung between attempts to strong-arm Putin and then Zelensky, all with little seeming effect.

From BBC

He is both deflecting attention from his Epstein association and doubling down on his strong-arm tactics to break all resistance to his regime.

From Salon

He has applied the same strong-arm tactics to boardrooms and corporations, national media outlets, law firms and, most recently, comedians.

From Salon

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