English Dictionary

STRONG-ARM

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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 resistanceplay

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


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

1. handle roughlyplay

2. be bossy towardsplay

3. use physical force againstplay

  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)


 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"Don't put the cart before the horse." (English proverb)

"Whatever you sow, you reap." (Afghanistan proverb)

"Fire will burn itself out if it did not find anything to burn." (Arabic proverb)

"Creaking carts last longest." (Dutch proverb)



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