iron-handed

See also: ironhanded and iron handed

English

Alternative forms

• ironhanded, iron handed

Etymology

From the idea of having an iron hand.

Adjective

iron-handed (comparative more iron-handed, superlative most iron-handed)

1. (derogatory) Strict and dictatorial, exercising firm ruthless control.
   • 2010, Michael Bernhard, Henryk Szlajfer, From the Polish Underground: Selections from Krytyka, 1978-1993, →ISBN, page 89:

     Here I am not primarily concerned with the long-term effects of such separation, about which the advocates of iron-handed rule in Poland have always written with great glee.

   • 2013, Harry Turtledove, The Sceptre's Return, →ISBN:

     I couldn't believe that iron-handed old tyrant would have a son waho cared for nothing but praying.

   • 2014, Eugene V. Gallagher, Reading and Writing Scripture in New Religious Movements, →ISBN, page 69:

     Celebration of the strong, powerful, bold, victorious, and iron-handed is presented as much more in tune with human nature, just as praise for the weak, feeble, humble, vanquished, and poor in spirit results from a foolish ignorance of true human desires.

Synonyms

• See Thesaurus:bossy

Derived terms

• iron-handedness

Related terms

• hard-handed, heavy-handed, iron-fisted