strongarm JUST WRITTEN FOR YOU
/ˈstrɒŋ ˌɑːrm/ · strong·arm
noun
- A person who threatens or intimidates others, especially on behalf of somebody else; a goon or enforcer. The gang’s strongarm collected protection money from the local merchants.
verb
- To bully; to intimidate. The manager tried to strongarm the staff into working overtime without extra pay.
- To coerce, to muscle. They strongarmed the landlord into lowering the rent by threatening legal action.
adjective
- Bullying; extortionate. The strongarm tactics used by the corporation left many small suppliers in debt.
- (usually figurative) Coercive, employing force. His strongarm approach to negotiations alienated potential partners.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Did you know? The phrase “strong‑arm tactics” became popular in early 20th‑century American politics, describing the use of outright force to achieve legislative goals.