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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Eight New York Jets showed pressure against just five available Broncos blockers, with the rest of Nix’s arsenal split out wide as Denver looked for a spark deep in its own territory.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
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Freshman Eva Karacalidis starred in her debut at center-mid, helping the Porkers apply a wealth of offensive pressure in an 11-shot first half.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
17 Oct. 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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Acknowledging the club’s payroll constraints and the up-in-the-air ownership situation following reports that John Fisher intends to sell the team, Arena said the Quakes need to surround players like Martinez and Christian Espinoza, one of the top scoring duos in the league, with more talent.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
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And the commission’s mandate faces several serious constraints.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Wembanyama added weight and has been bullying defenders in the paint during the preseason while shooting fewer treys.—
Stan Son,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Papa Snoop collaborated with GLAAD for the song in honor of Spirit Day, an annual holiday that encourages people to stand against bullying LGBTQ+ youth.—
James Factora,
Them.,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But now, having reined in his recklessness and compulsion to constantly create and force plays, the Patriots have developed an elite prospect into a promising pro passer.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Where does this compulsion stem from?—
Nina Mesfin,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After back-to-back relegations and a tepid start to League One, this once upbeat and intimidating stadium had gone stale.—
Kaya Kaynak,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Giant skeletons, scarecrows and spooky décor in intimidating sizes are a growing trend.—
Ramon Padilla,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Would-be autocrats create environments of fear and powerlessness, using intimidation, overwhelming force or political and legal attacks, and other coercive tactics to force acquiescence and chill democratic pushback.—
Shelley Inglis,
The Conversation,
19 Oct. 2025
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Here in America, ICE no longer acts like an agency of law enforcement but like an instrument of intimidation.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 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 24 Oct. 2025.
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