as in bully
a person who teases, threatens, or hurts smaller, weaker, or more vulnerable persons
law penalizing debt collection agencies that operate like hectors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to intimidate
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats
the judge warned the attorney that hectoring the witness with aggressive questioning would not be allowed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hector
The Economist, 18 July 2017
Like Chaffetz, the South Carolina congressman used his position in the House to investigate and hector Hillary Clinton throughout her time as a presidential candidate.
—OregonLive.com, 30 June 2017
Jeff Cox, CNBC, 20 June 2025
No, Tim Walz and JB Pritzker and Kathy Hochul were invited to Washington to be props to be hectored by Chairman James Comer and his allies.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hector
Noun
THE young woman with the microphone cajoles, hectors and wheedles customers with the breathless enthusiasm of a livestock auctioneer at a county fair.
—The Economist, 18 July 2017
Like Chaffetz, the South Carolina congressman used his position in the House to investigate and hector Hillary Clinton throughout her time as a presidential candidate.
—OregonLive.com, 30 June 2017
Verb
President Donald Trump, who nominated Waller as a governor during his first term in office, has been hectoring the Fed to lower interest rates to reduce borrowing costs on the $36 trillion national debt.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 20 June 2025
No, Tim Walz and JB Pritzker and Kathy Hochul were invited to Washington to be props to be hectored by Chairman James Comer and his allies.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hector
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hector
Noun
-
At the slightest provocation, Ye bullies, hectors, and screams at everyone from Paris fashion-show lackeys to the mother of his child.—
Derek Robertson,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Chewy did like them; but her clothes ended up being targeted by bullies at school.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Alarr’s unwelcome physical touching made Plaintiff feel offended, uncomfortable, humiliated and intimidated.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Don’t let the size of this plant intimidate you.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This small interceptor drone is specifically designed to ram into enemy drones mid-air.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The final season will explore Shaka’s enemies trying to undermine his rule and the arrival of Francis Fynn and British colonizers.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Like the Earth sign, the righteous dog detective Scooby doesn't appreciate confrontation and gets frightened in scary situations.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Lina sniffs, stamps her feet in the snow to make her own set of giant prints to frighten this creature.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
All the while, Sarah is being hunted by corporate intimidators Dawson (Sam Worthington) and Rosetti (Willa Fitzgerald), who want to ensure her silence.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hector.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hector. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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