iron fist

[ ahy-ern fist ]

noun

1. authority or power wielded in a cruel, dictatorial, or repressive way:

   The lecture described the torments that befell many artists under the iron fist of Stalin.

   This tyrant ruled the country with an iron fist until he was finally deposed and executed.

Other Words From

• i·ron-fist·ed i·ron·fist·ed adjective adverb

Example Sentences

But he also heaped praise on President Xi Jinping as a “brilliant” leader ruling with an “iron fist”.

From BBC

“He controls 1.4 billion people with an iron fist,” he said admiringly of Xi.

From Los Angeles Times

Together Wedding and Clark ruled their enterprise with an iron fist, Estrada said.

From Los Angeles Times

At the same time, Trump has praised Chinese President Xi Jinping — who has near absolute power — as “brilliant” and strong, saying he rules China’s population “with an iron fist.”

From Los Angeles Times

The son of Japanese immigrants, Fujimori ruled with an iron fist, his time in office marked by dramatic twists and turns.

From BBC