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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

arm-twisting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of arm-twist

as in browbeating

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Another shoe will drop for SpaceX this week when close to a billion shares held by insiders can be sold for the first time on Thursday, which traditionally puts downward pressure on newly IPOed company stock prices.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
His government has rarely been seen to yield to public pressure.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of pressure

Verb

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
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

Definition of browbeating

Noun

Joe Biden’s halt to on-shore oil drilling had zero impact on domestic oil prices, post-pandemic demand surges or global supply constraints, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine did.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026
Residents have voiced opposition against data centers in the city amid concerns over environmental impacts and resource constraints.

— Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of constraint

Verb

His distance from Henry was painfully emphasized when his son got in trouble for bullying another classmate, and the idea of Michelle (Andrea Anders) getting engaged to someone else sent him into a tailspin.

— Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026
One dad who recently found out his child was engaged in bullying activity took to Reddit to share his experience.

— Christian Dashiell, Parents, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of bullying

Noun

Which is exactly why leaders should be suspicious of their own streaks, especially the ones that started out fun and are creeping toward compulsion.

— Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Trying to understand that inner compulsion — not to name names — became the starting point.

— John Bleasdale, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of compulsion

Verb

Rather than prescribing rigid programs or focusing solely on physical health, the resort blends science with ancient wisdom, movement, nutrition, nature, and human connection to create experiences that feel individualized rather than intimidating.

— Gabby Shacknai, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
To be sure, putting our unvarnished, authentic selves on display can feel intimidating, but audiences respond well to it, and this approach can allow for meaningful connection and influence.

— Matt Abrahams, Time, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of intimidating

Noun

In Season 1, Sugar was hard-edged and assertive; the kind of private investigator who leads with intimidation and meets aggression with equal aggression.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026
In March 2026, Didulo’s and Manz’s charges for intimidation of a justice-system participant were shelved due to lack of evidence, though prosecutors have one year to refile.

— Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of intimidation

Browse Nearby Words

arm-twisted

arm-twisting

arm-twistings

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Arm-twisting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arm-twisting. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of arm-twisting

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

baptism of fire

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes