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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Recent Examples of arm-twisting
Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2026
This one-year penance business reeks of score-settling, petty grudges and arm-twisting.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 28 Jan. 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
This big, beautiful bill fulfills all the promises in the America First agenda.
SCOTT (voice over): But getting it over the finish line took arm-twisting and deal-making.
—ABC News, 6 July 2025
After arm-twisting and cajoling lawmakers overnight, Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) hailed what is likely to be the most significant piece of legislation enacted during the president’s second term.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 4 July 2025
Noun
Secretly recorded telephone conversations of President Lyndon B. Johnson during his years in the White House reveal LBJ was a blunt, vulgar, scheming politician who was skilled at using a blend of bullying, puffery and arm-twisting to get his way.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2026
This one-year penance business reeks of score-settling, petty grudges and arm-twisting.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 28 Jan. 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
This big, beautiful bill fulfills all the promises in the America First agenda.
SCOTT (voice over): But getting it over the finish line took arm-twisting and deal-making.
—ABC News, 6 July 2025
After arm-twisting and cajoling lawmakers overnight, Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) hailed what is likely to be the most significant piece of legislation enacted during the president’s second term.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 4 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arm-twisting
Noun
-
The test Wednesday was designed find out if helium was leaking into the oxygen lines of the isolated manifold, thus raising pressure as observed.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Bin Sulayem stepped down from his post as DP World’s chairman and chief executive in February this year, following immense pressure regarding his relationship with Epstein.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
This might take a series of browbeating prompts, but that’s not a big deal.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Jet fuel prices have doubled over the past month as crude supply problems have translated into supply constraints.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
-
That said, Springfield has hindered municipalities in important ways from addressing their budget constraints.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Online platforms are generally not legally responsible for the content that their users post; Meta, for example, would not be liable for bullying comments or imagery for self-harm posted onto Facebook.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Lendeborg had a highlight-reel dunk by bullying his way through two defenders and finishing his transition drive with a dunk to put Michigan up 66-57.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Family photo For Strausman, like so many artists of all skill levels, creating became a compulsion of the spirit.—
Steve Hartman,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The latest evidence of his compulsion is Twilight Override, a 30-song triple-album released last fall under his own name.—
Steve Appleford,
SPIN,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Upper East Side townhouse feels intimidating in the way only very expensive real estate can—big rooms, high ceilings, everything perfectly in place.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The Fundamentals of Japanese Approaching the language as a newcomer is intimidating.—
Caleb Jacobs,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Following mounting pressure from Russian law enforcement and escalating political intimidation, Allakhverdiyeva ultimately fled to Berlin.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Tramell McHenry, 18, is charged with murder, auto theft and intimidation.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps more meaningfully, the message is the antithesis of a contrived political pitch or a hectoring sermon.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Dealing with the hectoring racket of New York fans may well have prepared him to withstand the noise of the Super Bowl.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arm-twisting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arm-twisting. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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