Strongarming

Strongarming refers to the act of using intimidation, coercion, or physical force to compel someone to do something against their will. It involves leveraging one's power or influence to dominate another person or entity, often through threats, manipulation, or the threat of violence. This can manifest in various contexts, from personal disputes to political maneuvering, and carries a negative connotation as it undermines autonomy and fairness. It implies a lack of respect for boundaries and a willingness to achieve one's goals through aggressive or underhanded tactics. The term highlights the imbalance of power and the vulnerability of the target subjected to this form of pressure. The impact is to create fear or distress for the victim.

Strongarming meaning with examples

• The school bully was infamous for strongarming smaller children into giving him their lunch money. He used threats and physical intimidation to get his way, ensuring they complied out of fear of retaliation. This pattern of behavior was a constant source of worry for the parents and teachers.
• During the negotiations, the larger corporation employed strongarming tactics, threatening to pull its investment if the smaller company didn't agree to unfavorable terms. The weaker party felt cornered and had little choice but to concede to the demands, sacrificing its best interests.
• The corrupt government official was accused of strongarming businesses into making illegal campaign contributions. He threatened to revoke licenses and impose heavy fines unless they provided the necessary funds. The businesses feared for their survival and thus were complicit in the corruption.
• In the hostage situation, the terrorists used strongarming techniques on their captives to try and get their demands met. The display of weapons and psychological manipulation kept the hostages in fear. The authorities were trying to stop the coercive act.