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 For various examples and further detailed indications about browbeating prompting, see my coverage at the link here. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 His browbeating nature is one the Leafs have needed for years. Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 Meanwhile, Trump has his own social media and has browbeaten others, notably Facebook, into forsaking fact-checking. Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2025 In the Legislature, the hard feelings with DeSantis might linger after years of being browbeaten into passing his agendas. Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for browbeat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for browbeat
Verb
  • In her June 22 decision, Holmes said the government’s claims that Abrego Garcia is a gang member and could intimidate or threaten witnesses are based on vague statements of cooperating witnesses.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 26 June 2025
  • How Unions are Stepping in to Fill Governance Gaps Unions have observed that many workers feel intimidated by the technical nature of AI and are uneasy when discussing their concerns with their employers.
    Oludolapo Makinde, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • In the extreme, influencers are building social-media empires by bullying women into cutting calories and exercising for hours a day.
    Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
  • One more user reminded viewers to learn from the online bullying fellow islander Huda Mustafa, a 24-year-old from Raleigh, North Carolina, faced earlier in the season.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Browbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/browbeat. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on browbeat

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