| Library / English Dictionary |
STRONG-ARM
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Impelled by physical force especially against resistance
Example:
strong-arm tactics
Synonyms:
forcible; physical; strong-arm
Classified under:
Similar:
forceful (characterized by or full of force or strength (often but not necessarily physical))
II. (verb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Use physical force against
Example:
They strong-armed me when I left the restaurant
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
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)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Be bossy towards
Example:
Her big brother always bullied her when she was young
Synonyms:
ballyrag; boss around; browbeat; bully; bullyrag; hector; push around; strong-arm
Classified under:
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:
Handle roughly
Example:
He was strong-armed by the policemen
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
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)
