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
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 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
The president's arm-twisting ahead of a House Rules Committee meeting currently set for 1am Wednesday puts heavy pressure on GOP holdouts on a range of sticking points.
—Daniel Moore, Axios, 20 May 2025
Thune has also tried to describe Trump’s arm-twisting of Zelensky in nobler language.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
After a long day of arm-twisting and internal party clashes, House Republicans on Tuesday narrowly passed their plan to advance President Donald Trump's legislative agenda.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
Some arm-twisting to get the big stars to sign up and buy in.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 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
The president's arm-twisting ahead of a House Rules Committee meeting currently set for 1am Wednesday puts heavy pressure on GOP holdouts on a range of sticking points.
—Daniel Moore, Axios, 20 May 2025
Thune has also tried to describe Trump’s arm-twisting of Zelensky in nobler language.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
After a long day of arm-twisting and internal party clashes, House Republicans on Tuesday narrowly passed their plan to advance President Donald Trump's legislative agenda.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arm-twisting
Noun
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Air pressure in the plane keeps them closed when the plane is cruising.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Blitzes aren’t getting home Through three games, the Dolphins have blitzed opposing quarterbacks more than any other team in the NFL, yet have the fewest amount of pressures.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This might take a series of browbeating prompts, but that’s not a big deal.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Forcing athletes to find new affordances within various constraints makes perception-action coupling more efficient.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Pros Leaf raking is quiet, so there are no time constraints; Collecting leaves manually not only avoids disturbing neighbors or wildlife, is also does not cause air pollution.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Arizona Department of Education's website has information on how local schools and law enforcement can protect children from bullying.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Nearly a year after allegations of bullying at the workplace of her namesake brand rocked the internet, the Swedish influencer is going back to her roots—and her fans seem to be behind her.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Castro’s talent lies in meticulously creating a realistic—and entertaining—portrait of one man’s compulsions, bringing individual texture to a curious social phenomenon.—
Jeremy Gordon,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
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And that compulsion — a genuine, profound desire to share her findings with the world — makes for a classic, stick-to-your ribs documentary experience about a fascinating person.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Tierney was also charged on suspicion of two class 1 misdemeanors — disorderly conduct plus threatening and intimidating causing public inconvenience, police said.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
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Stepping into a Costco warehouse can be both thrilling and intimidating.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This is about sowing fear and intimidation and division among Americans.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
29 Sep. 2025
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Congressional Democrats panned the memo as an intimidation tactic.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This is subtle character work that, as described on the page, might seem hectoring or prescriptive.—
Jeremy Gordon,
The Atlantic,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arm-twisting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arm-twisting. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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