Synonym Chooser

How is the word browbeat different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of browbeat are bulldoze, bully, cow, and intimidate. While all these words mean "to frighten into submission," browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

In what contexts can bulldoze take the place of browbeat?

In some situations, the words bulldoze and browbeat are roughly equivalent. However, bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

When might bully be a better fit than browbeat?

The synonyms bully and browbeat are sometimes interchangeable, but bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

When is it sensible to use cow instead of browbeat?

The words cow and browbeat are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost.

not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business

When is intimidate a more appropriate choice than browbeat?

While in some cases nearly identical to browbeat, intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

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 browbeat But analysts have said Trump’s aggressive campaign to browbeat Powell into backing rate cuts could jeopardize the Fed’s autonomy and unnerve markets. Paul Davidson, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025 Don’t try to browbeat your rivals into making a trade. Andy McCullough, New York Times, 29 July 2025 But Cotton, annoyed by Hank’s indirectness and emotion, browbeats his son. Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 7 July 2025 But in the end, Trump was able to browbeat Republicans into supporting his costly plans to fund long-term tax cuts for the wealthy, more deportations of immigrants and boosting defense spending. Brian Bennett, Time, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for browbeat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for browbeat
Verb
  • In a demonstration to military clients, Julian uses bright scarlet lasers to render Ares and an intimidating swat truck in his private hangar.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Settlers continue to harass and intimidate its staff.
    Ryan Byrnes, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Now he's accused the Indianapolis Democrat of bullying and threatening him.
    Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
  • After getting bullied in elementary school, his mom, the comic book writer Elaine Lee, homeschooled him.
    Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Browbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/browbeat. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on browbeat

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