iron fist

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.

Prosecutors say El Hishri ran the prison with an iron fist, with special responsibility over the women's section.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

Both Keiko Fujimori and another of the front runners in the opinion polls, Rafael López Aliaga, have promised to use an "iron fist" to tackle the crime wave the country is experiencing.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

“Iran brought down the iron fist with speed and ferocity we haven’t seen before,” said Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 17, 2026

And when the authoritarian leader starts to display physical impairment, the people who have been chafing under his iron fist stop fearing him.

From Salon • Nov. 19, 2025

As the junta continued to rule with an iron fist, Farmer became increasingly frustrated and angry.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French