Synonyms of bulldoze

bulldoze

verb

ˈbu̇l-ˌdōz 

1

as in to push

to force one's way

bulldozed through the crowd at the arena, urgently trying to find the bathroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

• push
• squeeze
• shove
• bore
• muscle
• elbow
• bull
• press
• jostle
• crash
• jam
• shoulder
• thrust
• ram

2

as in to intimidate

to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats

one of those gatherings at which high-pressure sales reps try to bulldoze naive people into buying time-shares

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intimidate
• bully
• frighten
• scare
• coerce
• browbeat
• strong-arm
• startle
• threaten
• cow
• harass
• pick on
• hector
• badger
• shock
• terrorize
• bogart
• bullyrag
• force
• terrify
• compel
• pressure
• blackjack
• horrify
• bluster
• disturb
• bludgeon
• spook
• constrain
• menace
• oblige
• demoralize
• alarm
• perturb
• hound
• trash-talk
• upset
• unnerve
• disconcert
• make
• affright
• press
• push around
• psych (out)
• dragoon
• distress
• discompose
• disquiet
• unman
• alarum

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassure
• cheer
• encourage
• soothe
• comfort
• steel
• convince
• console
• persuade
• solace
• embolden
• hearten

Synonym Chooser

How is the word bulldoze different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of bulldoze are browbeat, bully, cow, and intimidate. While all these words mean "to frighten into submission," bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

When can browbeat be used instead of bulldoze?

The words browbeat and bulldoze can be used in similar contexts, but browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

In what contexts can bully take the place of bulldoze?

While the synonyms bully and bulldoze are close in meaning, bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

When is it sensible to use cow instead of bulldoze?

Although the words cow and bulldoze have much in common, cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost.

not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business

When might intimidate be a better fit than bulldoze?

The words intimidate and bulldoze are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bulldoze

In 2024, North Attleboro (11-2) bulldozed its way to a championship, only to see juggernauts like King Philip and Marshfield join them among its Div. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 5 Sep. 2025

On the island, buildings are practically invisible, built around existing trees instead of bulldozing the landscape. —Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Someone had to have dug the pit, stacked the corpses, bulldozed over the mass graves. —Seema Jilani august 29, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 2025

One wants to bulldoze it to build luxury flats (played by a wonderfully obnoxious David Tennant). —Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025