browbeat

verb

ˈbrau̇-ˌbēt How to pronounce browbeat (audio)
Definition of browbeatnext
as in to intimidate
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats they would often browbeat the younger child until he cried

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word browbeat different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of browbeat are bulldoze, bully, cow, and intimidate. While all these words mean "to frighten into submission," browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

In what contexts can bulldoze take the place of browbeat?

In some situations, the words bulldoze and browbeat are roughly equivalent. However, bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

When might bully be a better fit than browbeat?

The synonyms bully and browbeat are sometimes interchangeable, but bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

When is it sensible to use cow instead of browbeat?

The words cow and browbeat are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When is intimidate a more appropriate choice than browbeat?

While in some cases nearly identical to browbeat, intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

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 browbeat Trump has also browbeaten Mark Zuckerberg into dumping content moderation and fact checking from Facebook, Instagram and any other Meta properties, as well as dumping on the journalists who do the fact checking in the first place. —Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025 Having been browbeaten by the negativity of previous coaches Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, having a manager who didn't dismiss the idea the team could be title challengers or moan about a lack of talent was refreshing. —Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 Recent comments by Trump and former President Barack Obama felt like browbeating. —David Plazas, The Tennessean, 16 Oct. 2024 If segregating people by race and browbeating them about the evil ways of their race is not racial harassment, then what is? Conservatives are pushing back against anti-white race discrimination. —Thomas F. Powers, National Review, 1 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for browbeat

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Cite this Entry

“Browbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/browbeat. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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