as in bullying
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in coercion
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in intimidating
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
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 browbeating
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
This might take a series of browbeating prompts, but that’s not a big deal.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
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
This might take a series of browbeating prompts, but that’s not a big deal.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for browbeating
Adjective
-
In recent years, Lewinsky has reemerged in the public eye, becoming an anti-bullying advocate and public speaker.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
The district maintains an anti-bullying policy outlined in its student handbook.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In California, the Bane Act allows lawsuits against those who use threats, coercion or intimidation to violate a person’s constitutional rights.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2026
-
This language also obscures the ultimatums presented to Iran under threat of American force, making coercion sound like collaboration.—
Atom Ariola,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This is the page in the racing program full of numbers, abbreviations and lines that looks intimidating at first.—
Neil Greenberg,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
The Chapitos helped Rocha Moya, who has been governor since November 2021, get elected by stealing ballots, as well as kidnapping and intimidating opponents, the document said.—
Tom Winter,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The overall aesthetic was slightly ascetic without being spartan—a pale, neutral color palette; simple, modern furniture; a few pieces of abstract art.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The first follows the Rajput king Ratansen of Chitor (a fortress in what is now Chittorgarh, Rajasthan), who renounces his throne and travels as a yogi (wandering ascetic) to the island kingdom of Simhal to win the legendary Padmavati.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But within Seattle’s defense — a unit built on balance, depth and consistent pressure — his role still mattered.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In a sign of the pressure for Republicans to take advantage of the opportunity, multiple hopefuls running for governor in GOP primaries called for immediate redraws.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And so begins Sarah and David’s sometimes hilarious, often irreverent and totally unflinching journey to follow the ups and downs of David’s disease.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
-
For decades, the United States was an unflinching champion for strong digital trade rules.—
Josh Kallmer,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Historian Marvin Dunn echoed that concern, describing a disconnect among younger Black people who did not live through — and in many cases were never deeply taught about — the violence, intimidation and systemic barriers that shaped earlier generations’ fight for the ballot.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
-
In places like Canton, federal officials set up registration tables on downtown streets so Black residents could sign up to vote without facing harassment or intimidation from local authorities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Lebanon’s fragile sovereignty The lack of resolved borders and Israel’s periodic incursions into southern Lebanon have predictably meant that Lebanon has struggled to assert sovereignty over its own territory.—
Mireille Rebeiz,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2026
-
One quick concluding note: Like Bad Sisters, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast has what feels to me like a pretty resolved (and effective) ending, especially given the amount of time Saoirse spends in the finale talking about the difficulties of writing endings for TV.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Browbeating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/browbeating. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
