ARM-TWISTING Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

arm-twisting 1 of 2

noun

ˈärm-ˌtwi-stiŋ

Definition of arm-twisting

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Noun

France braces for a nationwide general strike French authorities were braced for a nationwide general strike over public services and cost-of-living concerns, demonstrations that showcase growing pressure on Europe’s social-welfare model.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026
The unit finished strong, and the run game production helped elevate the appearance of the group, but penalties and quarterback pressure limited what this grade could have been.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of pressure

Verb

Repent and repair Rather than browbeating people into repentance, the Ne’ilah service’s strategy is to boost them up into it, playing upon the biblical idea of the grandeur of humanity.

— Reuven Kimelman, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of browbeating

Noun

Trump, frustrated by domestic constraints, could use more force against Iran to try to secure his legacy.

— Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Beijing treats 70% import dependence as an implicit red line – which puts copper, lithium, cobalt, nickel, bauxite and iron ore under a hard national security constraint to expand supply abroad, Wang said.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of constraint

Verb

Junior faculty and staff faced more workplace bullying from peers.

— Jason Walker, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026
Police said the father, Thomas Frimprong, 60, has told NYPD detectives two fellow students had recently been suspended for bullying his son.

— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of bullying

Noun

The concern is when seeking reassurance becomes a compulsion—a behavior someone feels driven to repeat to relieve their distress.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 28 Oct. 2026
Prediction markets then capitalize on the digital environments that profit from young people’s compulsions.

— Amy L. Kennedy, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of compulsion

Verb

Watching their fearlessness in an environment that outsiders so often frame as hostile or intimidating was another small revelation—a joyous example of how human life continues to flourish in this wildest of places.

— Liam Hess, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026
The Protection from Abusive Passengers Act would bar passengers fined or convicted for assaulting or intimidating crew or other travellers.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of intimidating

Noun

More problematic is the long history of alleged involvement of deputy gangs in violence, intimidation and other potentially criminal behavior.

— Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Democrats fear interference and voter intimidation as his Justice Department threatens to prosecute local election officials.

— Jill Colvin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of intimidation

Verb

His character is a severe, hectoring figure; his lessons amount to an exhortation to be as mean as possible when money is concerned.

— Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
Pratt was just another angry New Yorker hectoring calumnies against all forms of authority.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026

Definition of hectoring

Browse Nearby Words

arm-twisted

arm-twisting

arm-twistings

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Arm-twisting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arm-twisting. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of arm-twisting

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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