browbeat

[ brou-beet ]

verb (used with object)

browbeat, browbeaten, browbeating.

1. to intimidate by overbearing looks or words; bully:

   They browbeat him into agreeing.

   Synonyms: coerce, harass, badger, cow, tyrannize

browbeat

/ ˈbraʊˌbiːt /

verb

1. tr to discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate

Derived Forms

• ˈbrowˌbeater, noun

Other Word Forms

• browbeater noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of browbeat¹

First recorded in 1575–85; brow + beat

Example Sentences

For him, in fact, the swagger and browbeating are often an integral part of the negotiating process.

From BBC

But when things started to get "really crazy", she browbeat her parents into coming with her.

From BBC

During his first term, Trump often used threats such as high tariffs to browbeat America’s allies into concessions.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, he insists on browbeating others to support a cause as lost as, well, making fetch happen.

From Salon

He serves up a series of theories for admitting the incendiary proof of Trump’s alleged weeks-long campaign to browbeat Pence into violating the Constitution and disregarding bona fide electoral votes for Joe Biden.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• badger
• bully
• coerce
• harass
• hector
• intimidate
• lean on
• oppress