Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of bulldoze are browbeat, bully, cow, and intimidate. While all these words mean "to frighten into submission," bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

When can browbeat be used instead of bulldoze?

The words browbeat and bulldoze can be used in similar contexts, but browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

In what contexts can bully take the place of bulldoze?

While the synonyms bully and bulldoze are close in meaning, 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 bulldoze?

Although the words cow and bulldoze have much in common, 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 might intimidate be a better fit than bulldoze?

The words intimidate and bulldoze are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 bulldoze The ruling also could inflame residents living near the stadium even more, escalating feelings that Wu has bulldozed the community into accepting the stadium for a professional women’s soccer team. Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2025 The city plans to bulldoze the historic green space in Little Italy and replace the urban oasis with affordable housing. Joanna Moriello, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025 Torretto was one of a half-dozen advocates who fought to keep the canyon from being bulldozed for residential development. Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025 If the existing building were bulldozed, Samsung could replace it with a modern and significantly larger structure. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bulldoze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulldoze
Verb
  • The Justice Department is pushing for several changes, Dahlquist said on Monday during the trial.
    Patrick Maguire, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The upcoming show will explore the story of Black dandyism as a sartorial declaration and a tool for pushing (and examining) social and political change, both historically and in contemporary society.
    Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • During this protest, police intimidated and ultimately beat the strikers, resulting the death of at least six people, according to the American Postal Workers Union.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • However, many Americans feel intimidated by the technology.
    Nikolaus Kimla, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • For now, the researchers have left the ship in situ, partially covering it with original soil and squeezing wet sponges onto it to preserve moisture.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Productivity expectations have skyrocketed, squeezing more output into fewer hours.
    Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • There have been 604 bullying and harassment cases, an average of 55 a year.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025
  • So, thank you for bullying me into getting surgical hair replacement.
    Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bulldoze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulldoze. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bulldoze

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