hard-handed
Ruling with force
Hard-handed describes someone who uses force or severity rather than gentleness or tact.
A hard-handed ruler governs through coercion.
Hard-handed tactics are rough and unsubtle.
The term can also describe hands made rough and calloused by physical labor, though this literal sense is less common than the figurative one suggesting heavy-handedness or lack of finesse.
Cruelly insensitive to others
- unfeelingWithout compassion or emotion
- insensitiveUnaware of others' emotions
- heartlessLacking pity or mercy
- cruelWillfully causing suffering
merciless · pitiless · brutal · ruthless · oppressive · tyrannical · severe · punitive
Requiring great effort
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- toughDurable and strong
- disciplinedHaving strict self-control
stringent · exacting · stern · rigid · firm · unyielding · no-nonsense · unbending
Aggressively asserting control
- coerciveUsing pressure to compel
- commandingExerting strong authority
- controllingExerting authority over others
- dictatorialImposing absolute control
autocratic · imperious · overbearing · bossy · despotic · forceful · aggressive · assertive
callous
Cruelly insensitive to others
- unfeelingWithout compassion or emotion
- insensitiveUnaware of others' emotions
- heartlessLacking pity or mercy
cruel · merciless · pitiless · brutal · ruthless · oppressive · tyrannical · severe · punitive · draconian
demanding
Requiring great effort
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- toughDurable and strong
disciplined · stringent · exacting · stern · rigid · firm · unyielding · no-nonsense · unbending · austere
domineering
Aggressively asserting control
- coerciveUsing pressure to compel
- commandingExerting strong authority
- controllingExerting authority over others
dictatorial · autocratic · imperious · overbearing · bossy · despotic · forceful · aggressive · assertive · intimidating
- ___-handed wordsbackhanded, offhanded, underhanded, ambidextrous