hard power

plural hard powers

1. countableuncountablegovernmentThe use of military and economic means to influence the behavior or interests of other political bodies.

   1 more example

   But even as America’s allies see our interests converging and the most successful military alliance in the history of the world restores its commitments to hard power, the previous Administration’s shameful hesitation and half-measures threaten to give way to something even more disgraceful: the obstinate denial of America’s security interest in Ukraine’s success.

   2025 February 24, Mitch McConnell, “McConnell on Three-Year Anniversary of Russia’s Escalation in Ukraine”, in Mitch McConnell U.S. Senator for Kentucky, archived from the original on 26 Feb 2025, Press Releases

2. countableuncountableA state having this kind of power.