iron hand
Ruthless authoritarian control
Iron hand describes a style of control that is firm, unyielding, and often harsh.
Someone who rules with an iron hand tolerates no dissent and enforces strict discipline: She managed the department with an iron hand.
The phrase commonly appears in the expression rule with an iron hand in a velvet glove, meaning to combine severity with outward gentleness.
Oppressive, absolute governance
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
- autocracyRule by one
repression · subjugation · persecution · coercion · intimidation · suppression · exploitation · enslavement
Energy transfer rate
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- controlAuthority to direct
- ruleGoverning principle or standard
leadership · governance · sovereignty · regime · supremacy · jurisdiction · mandate · administration
Refusing to give way
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- unbendingRefusing to change position
steadfast · resolute · immovable · determined · unwavering · rigid · obstinate · tenacious
Showing no clemency
- pitilessLacking any compassion
- cruelWillfully causing suffering
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- brutalSavagely harsh or severe
unsparing · heartless · callous · cold-blooded · severe · stern · remorseless · unforgiving
Inflexibility in enforcement
- rigorStrict, thorough precision
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- orderMethodical arrangement or request
regimentation · conformity · obedience · drill · training · correction · standards · structure
tyranny
Oppressive, absolute governance
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
autocracy · repression · subjugation · persecution · coercion · intimidation · suppression · exploitation · enslavement · cruelty
power
Energy transfer rate
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- controlAuthority to direct
rule · leadership · governance · sovereignty · regime · supremacy · jurisdiction · mandate · administration · oversight
unyielding
Refusing to give way
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
unbending · steadfast · resolute · immovable · determined · unwavering · rigid · obstinate · tenacious · indomitable
merciless
Showing no clemency
brutal · unsparing · heartless · callous · cold-blooded · severe · stern · remorseless · unforgiving · savage
strictness
Inflexibility in enforcement
- rigorStrict, thorough precision
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
order · regimentation · conformity · obedience · drill · training · correction · standards · structure · rules
- power metaphorsreins, puppet master, pulling strings, stranglehold, tight grip
iron handvelvet glove
Gentle manner disguising force
soft touch · laissez-faire · kid gloves · permissiveness · leniency
hand, iron, irony, heavy-handed, iron fist, iron-fisted, iron-handed