Definition of "high-handedness" [high-handedness]

• Highhanded, arbitrary, and unreasonable conduct or treatment. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "Grassroots outrage against perceived high-handedness and corruption helped topple governments in New Delhi in 1977 and 1989, and the rise of the Hindu-nationalist BJP to power in the 1990s was fueled as much by its then perceived probity as by passions released by its campaign to build a temple on the site of a disputed 16th century mosque in the northern town of Ayodhya."
• "They also played dirty tricks to get men into the service and thereby contributed to growing colonial resentment against British high-handedness.12"
• "The changes would still leave plenty of room for “energy in the executive” but would afford far less opportunity for high-handedness, secrecy, and simple rigidity."