StrongArmed

Strongarmed, sometimes written strong-armed, is an adjective and past participle derived from the verb strong-arm. It describes the act of coercing or compelling someone to do something by force, intimidation, or other pressure, rather than by persuasion or consent. The force involved can be physical or symbolic, such as threats or leverage.

In everyday use, strong-arming refers to coercive tactics employed by individuals, groups, or institutions to influence decisions, contracts, or outcomes. The expression is common in journalism and political commentary, often framed as opposed to voluntary agreement or fair negotiation. In criminal contexts, strong-arming can denote theft or extortion achieved through intimidation, as in the term strong-arm robbery, which conveys force without weapons.

The phrase is also used in sports and colloquial speech to denote a powerful throwing arm or a commanding degree of influence. For example, a "strong-armed" quarterback is one who can throw the ball over long distances, while a leader might be described as using strong-armed tactics to push through a policy.

Hyphenation and usage vary by style guide, but the basic sense remains: actions or individuals characterized by coercion rather than consent. Originating from the literal power of the arm, the term has evolved to describe broader forms of pressure and compulsion in social, political, and cultural contexts.