STRONG-ARMING Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

strong-arming 1 of 2

noun

as in bullying

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Dissimilar Words

strong-arming

2 of 2

verb

present participle of strong-arm

as in intimidating

to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats developers trying to strong-arm homeowners into selling their houses at below-market prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 strong-arming

Verb

Tech leaders have quietly backed Anthropic, saying that AI isn’t ready for some weapons and that strong-arming companies is counterproductive and antidemocratic. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026 Hezbollah, for the longest time, was strong-arming other parties, and they are accused of assassinating a former Prime Minister. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strong-arming

Noun

The investigation into Toro follows a complaint from Bigelow that alleges the workplace culture under Toro’s leadership is characterized as oppressive, bullying and fearful, according to the complaint.

— Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026
The Wright State University student, who was studying neuroscience, struggled with the shame and bullying that came with wearing an ankle monitor, according to his family.

— Lauren Costantino September 19, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of bullying

Verb

In 2022, the court convicted two leaders of a Kosovo war veterans’ association for intimidating witnesses by publicizing leaked confidential documents.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026
Critics say Mullin’s policy is aimed at intimidating voters, will upend longstanding American norms, and violate a law keeping armed forces out of polling places that dates back to the end of the Civil War.

— Michael Loria, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of intimidating

Noun

Ben Ross tagged at third, but Lowe’s strong one-bounce throw got to catcher Moisés Ballesteros in time for a sweeping tag-out of Ross out at home to end Minnesota’s threat.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
Meanwhile, a new tropical storm has formed in the Atlantic, named Fay, but does not appear to pose a threat to land.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of threat

Verb

Playing that cat, a work camp warden coercing Hawke’s character into smuggling gold through the wilderness, is none other than Russell Crowe.

— Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
But in the past, these efforts were largely aimed at threatening or coercing Washington to act in their favor.

— Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of coercing

Noun

The demands to stop the bulldozing and construction of areas in the Big Bend region of Texas are continuing, despite a pause in the work.

— Ken Molestina, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Outside, the ceaseless roar of jackhammering and bulldozing went on as the ballroom, challenged by lawsuits and protected by that titanium fencing, took shape.

— Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026

Definition of bulldozing

Noun

Mid-decade redistricting frenzy Vance suggested that Republican state lawmakers have every right to dilute the voting power of left-leaning Kansas City amid a bitter partisan fight for control of Congress.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026
In 2023, the pair famously sent the internet into a frenzy when Swift appeared at a Chiefs game amid speculation that the two were dating.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of frenzy

Noun

Of these three films, The Uprising is admittedly the least heist-explicit; Paul Greengrass’s shaky cam mostly follows marching mobs lambasting the king and furious revolts against soldiers and tax collectors.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
Advertisement By midsummer, the revolt reached its breaking point.

— JP Mangalindan, Time, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of revolt

Noun

But external leadership quickly devolves if our inner landscapes are left scattered to the wind during massive, often uninvited personal upheavals.

— Patrick Murphy, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
The premiere was the first ratings report card for the program since a major upheaval that occurred behind the scenes under CBS News Editor in Chief Bari Weiss.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of upheaval

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“Strong-arming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strong-arming. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of strong-arming

noun

verb

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