noun
strongman
noun
1
A person, especially a performer, known for feats of physical strength.
"The circus strongman lifted the car above his head to gasps from the crowd."
2
A ruler or leader who governs with force and little regard for democratic process.
"The country had been ruled by a military strongman for two decades."
How to Use Strongman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a person famous for physical strength, or an authoritarian ruler who leads through force.
Common pairings
circus strongman
political strongman
Word Forms
strongmen plural
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The circus _____ lifted the car above his head to gasps from the crowd.
Etymology
A compound of strong and man.