hectors 1 of 2

noun

plural of hector
as in enemies
a person who teases, threatens, or hurts smaller, weaker, or more vulnerable persons law penalizing debt collection agencies that operate like hectors

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hectors

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of hector
as in intimidates
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

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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 hectors
Noun
Larry David, in character, hectors at the Wright brothers in the trailer for his new HBO Max series. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hectors
  1. enemies
  2. intimidates
  3. bullies
  4. cows
  5. intimidators
  6. thugs
Noun
  • My own team’s research has shown that mycorrhizal fungi can alter chemicals released by plants in ways that are useful for repelling insects while attracting pollinators and insects’ natural enemies.
    — Esther Ndumi Ngumbi, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
  • The Founding Fathers attacked their enemies in the papers, spreading lies to incite the public against their opponents.
    — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Definition of enemies
Verb
  • Any passenger who assaults, threatens, intimidates or interferes with airline crew members can lead to penalties of up to $43,658 per violation, according to the FAA.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 3 May 2026
  • The aura of the classical guitar intimidates me.
    — Peter Wayne Moe, Longreads, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of intimidates
Noun
  • All Balogun playing did was make the Americans seem like bullies who just lost the fight as everyone else howled laughter.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
  • Including some rather nasty, big corpo bullies who enlist specialist teams to hunt down clues, and other players, too.
    — Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of bullies
Verb
  • With their long and crescent-shaped horns, the Inyambo cows graze at the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza and at the homes of some of Rwanda's richest people, including President Paul Kagame.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 June 2026
  • The notion of cow tipping is based on the idea that cows sleep standing up.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of cows
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
Definition of intimidators
Noun
  • Threatening to limit mail-in voting, adding ridiculous ID requirements, or staging thugs at polling places are other possible ways to convince you to stay home.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2026
  • To be sure, the thugs of Hamas and Hezbollah committed a horrific massacre of young Jewish civilians enjoying a music festival on October 7, 2023.
    — DP Opinion, Denver Post, 6 July 2026
Definition of thugs

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hectoring
hectors
hedge
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Cite this Entry

“Hectors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hectors. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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