as in cowed
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variants
or browbeat
as in intimidated
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats
they would often browbeat the younger child until he cried
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of browbeaten
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Not to the extent that the user is necessarily being browbeaten.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The administration’s apparent plan to resolve this difficulty is to shame or browbeat members of the artistic community into performing there.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
Not to mention the relentless White House campaign to browbeat Fed Chair Jerome Powell to lower rates while auditioning dovish successors.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2025
Some of them used that stage to browbeat Democratic politicians.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2025
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
Adjective
Audiences who endured the Miramax era have been browbeaten to believe that the best picture Oscar should go to a period piece that chokes out a sob from audiences.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Not to the extent that the user is necessarily being browbeaten.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
Davies more or less browbeat her into terminating the pregnancy, and dropped out of college.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The administration’s apparent plan to resolve this difficulty is to shame or browbeat members of the artistic community into performing there.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
Not to mention the relentless White House campaign to browbeat Fed Chair Jerome Powell to lower rates while auditioning dovish successors.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2025
Some of them used that stage to browbeat Democratic politicians.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for browbeaten
Verb
-
Virginia never looked intimidated despite last month’s blowout loss.—
Steve Reed,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
They are intimidated by his beauty and coolness, and keeping driving up to the window.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Again and again, American planners have assumed that if the right spark is provided, oppressed people will seize the moment and revolt.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The tiny minority that held this fragile wealth has long needed protection, both from the vast numbers of oppressed people needed to extract it and from the federal government determined to protect them.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The victim involved was identified by her family as Jada West, who reportedly had been bullied since transferring to the school.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
About 36% of the principals, who were surveyed from May to August, said students from immigrant families had been bullied, and 64% said their attendance had dropped.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Setting expectations for a downtrodden player’s next season isn’t always easy, even when there’s an explanation for the statistical dropoff.—
Al Melchior,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Wonder if there's a former Alabama defensive coach looking to be a coordinator for a downtrodden NFC East franchise.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That habit didn’t endear the Alspaws to anyone nearby, including one neighbor who threatened to shoot Brittany after the Alspaws frightened his horses.—
Tessa Stuart,
Rolling Stone,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Konstantin, 4, a sociable boy, is often frightened by loud noises and guards, his parents said.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Turmeric can sub out for a pinch of crushed saffron, or skip it.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Stir in crushed pineapple with juice until combined.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The current risk level in the Strait has already scared off most major marine war insurers, who have pulled their coverage of ships in the Strait.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
You can’t be truly trusted if you are being micromanaged or scared to make a mistake.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Burgeoning national college football powers at Miami and elsewhere threatened Notre Dame’s place in the national hierarchy.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
-
British ministers are drawing up plans to send minesweeping drones to the Strait of Hormuz after Iran threatened ships traveling through the vital oil route.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Browbeaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/browbeaten. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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