strongman

UK: /ˈstrɒŋgmæn/

US: /ˈstrɔŋˌmæn, ˈstrɑŋ-/

US: (strông′man′, strong′-)

Inflections of 'strongman' (n): npl: strongmen

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

strong•man /ˈstrɔŋˌmæn, ˈstrɑŋ-/   n. [countable] , pl. -men. 

1. one who performs remarkable feats of strength, as in a circus.
2. Government a political leader who controls by force;
   dictator.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

strong•man  (strông′man′, strong′-), n., pl. -men. 

1. a person who performs remarkable feats of strength, as in a circus.
2. Government a political leader who controls by force;
   dictator.
3. the most powerful or influential person in an organization or business, by reason of skill in the formulation and execution of plans, work, etc. Also, strong′ man′. 

• strong + man¹ 1855–60