strongmen
|strong-men|
🇺🇸
/ˈstrɔŋˌmɛn/
🇬🇧
/ˈstrɒŋˌmɛn/
(strongman)
powerful male figure
Etymology
'strongman' originates from Old English elements 'strang' (or 'strong') and 'mann', where 'strang/strong' meant 'powerful' and 'mann' meant 'man'.
'strongman' was formed as a compound in Middle English from 'strong' + 'man' to denote a physically powerful man; the modern figurative/political sense of 'authoritarian leader' developed later, becoming common in English in the 19th–20th centuries.
Initially, it meant 'a physically strong man'; over time it gained an additional meaning of 'an authoritarian leader who rules by personal power or force'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
men noted for great physical strength; e.g., performers, weightlifters, or brawny individuals.
The circus featured several strongmen who lifted heavy weights and bent iron bars.
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Noun 2
authoritarian leaders who hold power through force, personal authority, or intimidation rather than democratic institutions.
During the 20th century, several countries were ruled by military strongmen who suspended democratic processes.
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Last updated: 2025/10/06 10:00