strong-arm

1 of 2

adjective

: having or using undue force

strong-arm

2 of 2

verb

strong-armed; strong-arming; strong-arms

transitive verb

1
a
: to use force on : assault
2
: to rob by force

Examples of strong-arm in a Sentence

Verb developers trying to strong-arm homeowners into selling their houses at below-market prices
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
For all their strong-arm tactics, these two carry themselves as formidable businessmen. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025 Listen to this article San Diego police are investigating a series of strong-arm robberies in the Rolando and College Area neighborhoods Sunday night that left two people hospitalized with stab wounds, a police spokesperson said. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
Don’t try and strong-arm anyone into supporting you, because that certainly won’t leave anyone impressed. Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2023 On Thursday Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne invoked Article 49 of the French constitution, which enabled the Macron government to strong-arm a bill through the National Assembly without a vote. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 16 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for strong-arm

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1897, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of strong-arm was in 1897

Cite this Entry

“Strong-arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strong-arm. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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