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

The former believed in the role of the state as a provider, while the latter favored an iron fist approach to governance.

From The Daily Beast

Doctor Strange, Iron Fist, Black Panther and The Runaways are other projects on the horizon.

From The Daily Beast

The position of House Majority Whip is one that he ruled with an iron fist for over a decade.

From The Daily Beast

Mugabe is still in firm control and still ruling with an iron-fist.

From The Daily Beast

It has recently ruled over the country with an iron fist, increasingly solidifying its noose on civil rights and governance.

From The Daily Beast

The ideal man for a military government, his is an Iron Fist; but if the fist were of softer stuff, all Belgium would be in chaos.

From Project Gutenberg

The uplifted glass came down with a crash and his iron fist closed on her right hand.

From Project Gutenberg

The "iron fist" and the "shining sword" were to break in the doors of those who opposed a German-made peace.

From Project Gutenberg

The blind man clung close to me, holding me in one iron fist, and leaning almost more of his weight on me than I could carry.

From Project Gutenberg

He had felt Brayley's iron fist before, but not with the rage behind it which now drove it into Conniston's face.

From Project Gutenberg