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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hectors
Derek Robertson, The Washington Examiner, 10 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hectors
Noun
-
There's a long history of journalists seeking interviews with world leaders, even when they are regarded as enemies of the United States.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
It was supposed to help America dominate its enemies.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The case has heightened concerns among Canada’s Iranian diaspora, many of whom have warned for years that Tehran monitors and intimidates critics abroad.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Maybe her coolness intimidates them, or her green eyes.—
Rodrigo Hasbún,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Political bullies also enjoy demeaning names and character assassination.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Rodin plays one of the bullies.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mother cows bond deeply with their calves.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
-
The centerpiece is, of course, the melee/dance-off between the ensemble in white tutus and the violent thugs, toe blade and all.—
Lé Baltar,
IndieWire,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The Democrats, though, have no problems releasing all these bloodthirsty thugs back into the neighborhood.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hectors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hectors. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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