arm-twisting 1 of 2

noun

ˈärm-ˌtwi-stiŋ How to pronounce arm-twisting (audio)
Definition of arm-twistingnext
as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another it took some arm-twisting, but they eventually agreed to make a donation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

arm-twisting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of arm-twist
as in browbeating

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of arm-twisting
Noun
Call it a figurative arm-twisting. — Eric Stephens, New York Times, 15 May 2026 Other players, however, insist that disarmament must commence first, or else any political process will be subjected to Hamas’s interference, and to arm-twisting by those who can exert influence with their guns and tunnels. — Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025 Ordinarily, any arm-twisting or horse-trading is done behind the scenes, and typically the winning candidate has been able to wrap up the race within days of the November election. — John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arm-twisting
  1. pressure
  2. browbeating
  3. constraint
  4. bullying
  5. compulsion
  6. intimidating
  7. intimidation
  8. hectoring
Noun
  • Zepeda comes forward and throws volume, which is exactly the input Roach's counterpunching needs to look spectacular and exactly the pressure that has troubled him when the scorecards got close.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • The Yankees should see a mediocre American League as an opportunity for a second pennant in three years; Aaron Judge’s uncertain injury status applies more pressure to do something at the deadline to chase down the Rays in the AL East.
    — Tim Britton, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of pressure
Verb
  • His process of doing so involved disparaging his accusers, browbeating people and institutions that no longer wanted to be associated with him, and refusing to accept a path that precluded a return to being a public figure.
    — Elizabeth Spiers, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Analysts have suggested a vote from Waller in favor of interest rate cuts, aligning with the president’s browbeating demands for lower borrowing costs—could be seen as a bellwether for his candidacy.
    — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
Definition of browbeating
Noun
  • Newsom trimmed California’s initial commitment to local newsrooms in the program’s first year from $100 million, with $55 million coming from Google, to $10 million, from the state and Google each, in response to budgetary constraints.
    — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
  • The company's approach could address one of the central constraints facing Apple's AI strategy.
    — MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Definition of constraint
Verb
  • This aggressive legal action is backfiring, as consumers perceive the large chain as bullying a smaller, beloved brand.
    — Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Likewise, bullying commands are unlikely to resonate in a party not trained to follow a strongman.
    — Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Definition of bullying
Noun
  • The compulsion to seek out fun in summer heat is driven by a mix of biological boosts, social conditioning, and psychological relief from winter confinement.
    — Nicole F. Roberts, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • The real question is whether Pennsylvania and cities like Pittsburgh want skill games and other gambling opportunities to be widespread and unavoidable for people who struggle with compulsions to gamble.
    — Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
Definition of compulsion
Verb
  • Although stony-faced and intimidating when first met, Stella has a softer side as well as reasons to be so bitter and brusque.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
  • Platner, for example, hung onto support from prominent Democrats even after a report of intimidating behavior toward girlfriends.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of intimidating
Noun
  • The pattern includes shootings and attacks on farmers, as well as arson, property destruction, road obstruction, and the intimidation or expulsion of entire communities.
    — Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
  • Judges around the country have seen a rise in threats of violence and intimidation, including a fake swatting call to police about Barrett’s home in May.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Definition of intimidation
Verb
  • Pratt was just another angry New Yorker hectoring calumnies against all forms of authority.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
  • Perhaps more meaningfully, the message is the antithesis of a contrived political pitch or a hectoring sermon.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
Definition of hectoring

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Cite this Entry

“Arm-twisting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arm-twisting. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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