STRONG-ARM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does strong-arm mean? 

• STRONG-ARM (adjective)
  The adjective STRONG-ARM has 1 sense:

1. impelled by physical force especially against resistance

  Familiarity information: STRONG-ARM used as an adjective is very rare.

• STRONG-ARM (verb)
  The verb STRONG-ARM has 3 senses:

1. handle roughly

2. be bossy towards

3. use physical force against

  Familiarity information: STRONG-ARM used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• STRONG-ARM (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Impelled by physical force especially against resistance

Synonyms:

forcible; physical; strong-arm

Context example:

strong-arm tactics

Similar:

forceful (characterized by or full of force or strength (often but not necessarily physical))

• STRONG-ARM (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Handle roughly

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

He was strong-armed by the policemen

Hypernyms (to "strong-arm" is one way to...):

do by; handle; treat (interact in a certain way)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

strong-armer (an aggressive and violent young criminal)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Be bossy towards

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Synonyms:

ballyrag; boss around; browbeat; bully; bullyrag; hector; push around; strong-arm

Context example:

Her big brother always bullied her when she was young

Hypernyms (to "strong-arm" is one way to...):

intimidate (make timid or fearful)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "strong-arm"):

domineer; tyrannise; tyrannize (rule or exercise power over (somebody) in a cruel and autocratic manner)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

They want to strong-arm the prisoners

Sense 3

Meaning:

Use physical force against

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context example:

They strong-armed me when I left the restaurant

Hypernyms (to "strong-arm" is one way to...):

beat; beat up; work over (give a beating to; subject to a beating, either as a punishment or as an act of aggression)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

They want to strong-arm the prisoners

Derivation:

strong-armer (an aggressive and violent young criminal)