BROWBEATING Synonyms: 180 Similar and Opposite Words

browbeating 1 of 3

adjective

as in bullying

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Dissimilar Words

browbeating

2 of 3

noun

as in coercion

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Dissimilar Words

browbeating

3 of 3

verb

present participle of browbeat

as in intimidating

to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats they would often browbeat the younger child until he cried

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 browbeating

Verb

Repent and repair Rather than browbeating people into repentance, the Ne’ilah service’s strategy is to boost them up into it, playing upon the biblical idea of the grandeur of humanity. — Reuven Kimelman, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026 His process of doing so involved disparaging his accusers, browbeating people and institutions that no longer wanted to be associated with him, and refusing to accept a path that precluded a return to being a public figure. — Elizabeth Spiers, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026 Analysts have suggested a vote from Waller in favor of interest rate cuts, aligning with the president’s browbeating demands for lower borrowing costs—could be seen as a bellwether for his candidacy. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026 This might take a series of browbeating prompts, but that’s not a big deal. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for browbeating

Adjective

Mourinho stressed the importance of preparing Vinicius emotionally, noting the irony given broader anti-bullying sentiments.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Investigators are still verifying the suspect’s claim, but regional education officials immediately ordered schools to step up anti-bullying campaigns.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 23 June 2026

Definition of bullying

Noun

This interservice competition may increasingly normalize what constitutes acceptable coercion below the nuclear threshold and shape targeting priorities, as well as escalation management.

— Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026
Tehran fears that surrendering its maritime leverage first would invite fresh demands; Washington worries that easing pressure would reward coercion without securing lasting constraints on Iran’s nuclear program.

— Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of coercion

Verb

The North Port is a major hub for container and cruise traffic, possibly producing an intimidating environment for the shark.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
He was accused of harassing, threatening, and intimidating the women in person, through social media, and on his podcast.

— Patrick Damp, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of intimidating

Adjective

But there is a certain ascetic simplicity to this labyrinthine heritage building that remains relatively unadorned.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
And there were posters tearing apart his otherworldly self-projection as a fakir, or ascetic, depicting him in his monogrammed suits, designer sunglasses, and aircraft.

— Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of ascetic

Adjective

Like Leavitt, Zacharia lacked the traditional political, policy, or journalistic background for the role, but her willingness to express unflinching support for the president’s policies won her his support.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2026
The record offered an unflinching look at her struggles with substance abuse and heartache.

— Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of unflinching

Noun

The request was the latest salvo in the messy war where Ghost is suing Wilson for defamation, and Wilson is pursuing counterclaims against the producers for alleged bullying, intimidation, and breach of contract.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2026
Galvanized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, Israeli settlers in the West Bank have recently been waging a particularly severe campaign of violence, intimidation and displacement against Palestinian communities.

— Liam Scott, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of intimidation

Adjective

This view helpfully shows key numbers (such as resolved requests, involvement rate, resolution rate) at the top, along with a funnel that visualizes visualizing how requests are resolved (with AI or humans).

— Dianna Gunn, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026
There's a difference between a closed ticket and a resolved issue.

— Amit Mathradas, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of resolved

Browse Nearby Words

browbeaten

browbeating

browbeatings

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Style

“Browbeating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/browbeating. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of browbeating

adjective

noun

verb

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