high-handed

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Triggering the administration’s nuclear response on Friday was Anthropic’s high-handed refusal to give the Defense Department carte blanche to use its technology as it sees fit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

One official who was involved and spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid facing retribution said they were disgusted by the request’s “brazenness and the high-handed expectation of complicity.”

From Salon • Nov. 19, 2025

But that relationship will always be hostage to events; either a flare-up in the South China Sea, or any other act by China seen as high-handed by the Vietnamese.

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2023

Draghi's sometimes high-handed manner has also won him enemies in the cabinet, well-placed government sources say, meaning only a few members of his coalition team tried to fight his corner as the vote progressed.

From Reuters • Feb. 2, 2022

“But your honor will not deny me this one and only poor privilege of protest against this high-handed outrage upon my citizen’s rights,” Anthony responded.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling