henpecked

[ hen-pekt ]

adjective

1. browbeaten, bullied, or intimidated by one's wife, girlfriend, etc.:

   a henpecked husband who never dared to contradict his wife.

henpecked

/ ˈhɛnˌpɛkd /

adjective

1. (of a man) continually harassed or tormented by the persistent nagging of a woman (esp his wife)

Other Words From

• henpecking noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of henpecked¹

First recorded in 1670–80; hen + peck ¹ + -ed ²

Example Sentences

I was raised by a sweet henpecked father, who would have said something disparaging about himself to get me to help him with his computer or read tiny print.

From Los Angeles Times

In “The Best Man,” she plays a stripper named Candy, and she and Perrineau share one of the film’s most memorable scenes as Candy treats Perrineau’s henpecked youth counselor, Julian “Murch” Murchison, to a spirited lap dance during the bachelor party.

From Los Angeles Times

Michael Burlingame, a professor of history at the University of Illinois Springfield, said that other than treating Lincoln as a “classic henpecked husband,” at face value there’s nothing funny about Mary Todd Lincoln.

From New York Times

“His shoulder-rolling caricature of this suave, foppish and thoroughly henpecked kingpin is the film’s biggest treat,” wrote New York Times movie critic Janet Maslin.

From Washington Post

“That ever I should live to see you a henpecked husband and enjoying it!” cried Jo, with uplifted hands.

From Literature