1. a political leader who rules with absolute power, often through force or intimidation
2. a performer who demonstrates feats of physical strength, especially in a circus or entertainment show

Examples

• The country suffered under the rule of a military strongman for decades.
• Opposition leaders were silenced by the strongman’s regime.
• The circus strongman lifted enormous weights to amaze the crowd.
• At the fair, a strongman bent iron bars with his bare hands.
• The strongman competition featured athletes from around the world.
• Many citizens hoped for democracy after the strongman’s fall from power.