browbeat

verb

brow·​beat ˈbrau̇-ˌbēt 

browbeat; browbeaten ˈbrau̇-ˈbē-tᵊn  or browbeat; browbeating

transitive verb

: to intimidate or disconcert by a stern manner or arrogant speech : bully

likes to browbeat the waitstaff

Synonyms

• blackjack
• bogart
• bulldoze
• bully
• bullyrag
• cow
• hector
• intimidate
• strong-arm

Choose the Right Synonym for browbeat

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

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

During his first term, Trump often used threats such as high tariffs to browbeat America’s allies into concessions. —Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024

While events such as these are the consequence of manmade activity and are not ideal, the narration doesn’t browbeat the audience but instead focuses on the potential positive outcomes – a new species emerging. —Benny Har-Even, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Note that generative AI did not try to browbeat me or otherwise attempt to crush my soul. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

browbeat

verb

brow·​beat ˈbrau̇-ˌbēt 

browbeat; browbeaten -ˌbēt-ᵊn  ; browbeating

: to frighten by a stern manner or threatening speech : bully