browbeat

verb

brow·​beat ˈbrau̇-ˌbēt How to pronounce browbeat (audio)
browbeat; browbeaten ˈbrau̇-ˈbē-tᵊn How to pronounce browbeat (audio) or browbeat; browbeating
Synonyms of browbeat

transitive verb

: to intimidate or disconcert by a stern manner or arrogant speech : bully
likes to browbeat the waitstaff

Synonyms of browbeat

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intimidate, cow, bulldoze, bully, browbeat mean to frighten into submission.

intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost.

not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business

bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

Examples of browbeat in a Sentence

His father likes to browbeat waiters and waitresses. they would often browbeat the younger child until he cried
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But that bar was browbeaten by critics into pausing and then canceling the project. — Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026 Davies more or less browbeat her into terminating the pregnancy, and dropped out of college. — Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 They are undoubtedly exasperated that AI would browbeat them and be preachy. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 Mar. 2026 Trump, who typically prizes his ability to browbeat enemies with a mixture of bravado and bluster, is becoming a little less vocal on Iran. — Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for browbeat

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of browbeat was in 1581

Rhymes for browbeat

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Browse Nearby Words

browband
browbeat
browbeater
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Browbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/browbeat. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

browbeat

verb
brow·​beat ˈbrau̇-ˌbēt How to pronounce browbeat (audio)
browbeat; browbeaten -ˌbēt-ᵊn How to pronounce browbeat (audio) ; browbeating
: to frighten by a stern manner or threatening speech : bully

More from Merriam-Webster on browbeat

Nglish: Translation of browbeat for Spanish Speakers

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