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henpecking

verb

present participle of henpeck
as in nagging
to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders my doctor henpecked me into adopting a healthier lifestyle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for henpecking
  1. nagging
  2. hounding
  3. begging
  4. dogging
  5. urging
  6. needling
  7. bothering
  8. badgering
Verb
  • The gargantuan nose tackle slid down the 2025 draft chutes over a nagging back problem the University of Kentucky declined to shut down.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Like having her mom, until the time of her passing during COVID-19, pushing Angélique to eat, nagging her to gain weight.
    — A.D. Amorosi, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of nagging
Verb
  • Though some accusations seem to hold water, the headline is his hounding in context.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • McDonnell’s personal circle was also hounding her for repayment.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of hounding
Verb
  • There was one big first-half chance that went begging, Callum Doyle’s flick-on leaving the Wales international with just goalkeeper Max Weiss to beat, but his close-range header was tipped over.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • But if there was ever a time to prove McDaniel’s offensive scheme is what was needed to change things for the Chargers, this is the ultimate test for a team and fan base begging to make a run at the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of begging
Verb
  • Investors have been ratcheting up their expectations for the industry as some companies hike their outlooks and get a better handle on rising medical costs in those plans – an issue that has been dogging the broader sector for more than two years.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 29 July 2026
  • There is a new solution to a problem that's been dogging the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office.
    — Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Definition of dogging
Verb
  • Authorities are urging anyone who spots the pair or their white Nissan Altima to contact law enforcement.
    — Jasmine Mendez Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • That group, early on, looked for equity in the pages of the Arkansas Gazette's society section, urging the publication to feature Black brides, who had previously been denied photos on the section front.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of urging
Verb
  • Freedom thought Cloud went low, needling him with accusations of trying to win Cunningham’s affection.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Lestat wants Molloy to tell his side of the story, but Lestat also can’t bear to open up, spending more time needling Molloy than actually engaging with his questions.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 23 June 2026
Definition of needling
Verb
  • The list of maladies bothering Ohtani is lengthy, and grew this week.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Ohtani reported that the area from his biceps to his neck was bothering him Wednesday night, Roberts said.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of bothering
Verb
  • Reddington had to talk around this impasse, badgering Clancy’s providers about matters such as their use of telemedicine, as though this wasn’t standard practice.
    — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • O'Hara said years later, children were still badgering her about her forgetfulness.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of badgering
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.

Browse Nearby Words

henpecked
henpecking
henpecks
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Cite this Entry

“Henpecking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/henpecking. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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