strongman

or strong man

[ strawng-man, strong- ]

noun

plural strongmen.

1. a person who performs remarkable feats of strength, as in a circus.
2. a political leader who controls by force; dictator.
3. the most powerful or influential person in an organization or business, by reason of skill in the formulation and execution of plans, work, etc.

strongman

/ ˈstrɒŋˌmæn /

noun

1. a performer, esp one in a circus, who performs feats of strength
2. any person regarded as a source of power, capability, initiative, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of strongman¹

First recorded in 1855–60; strong + man

Example Sentences

Ahead of Bukele's trip to Washington, Trump praised his counterpart, who has positioned himself as a strongman leader who is tough on crime.

From BBC

In light of the circumstances, there is reason to be quite mad at those in government who support the total elimination of checks and balances in favor of an aging strongman’s personal judgment.

From Salon

No, they look suspiciously like the same old mob every strongman attracts — not demanding freedom, but demanding vengeance.

From Salon

In an era of strongmen, those lessons were a necessary corrective to the corrosive words and actions from Trump and others.

From Los Angeles Times

There is a breaking point for every strongman regime, and it can come with a single bullet.

From BBC

Related Words

• autocrat
• despot
• tyrant