browbeat

[brou-beet]

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verb (used with object), brow·beat, brow·beat·en, brow·beat·ing.

to intimidate by overbearing looks or words; bully: They browbeat him into agreeing.

Nearby words

Origin of browbeat

First recorded in 1575–85; brow + beat

SYNONYMS FOR browbeat

cow, badger, tyrannize, harass, coerce.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR browbeat ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsbrow·beat·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for browbeat

But if he comes to Israel to save it from itself or to browbeat its governing coalition, he is sure to return empty handed.
Barack Obama’s Cairo Speech, and His Israel Problem|Marty Peretz|February 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
She says the group "browbeat" Komen into reversing its decision, sparking a media storm that led Handel and many others to resign.
Ex-Komen Official Karen Handel Attacks Planned Parenthood 'Thugs' in New Book|Abigail Pesta|September 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The answer is not to browbeat the parties to scurry to the negotiating table.
Fire the Mideast Policy Team!|Leslie H. Gelb|July 7, 2010|DAILY BEAST
After parents and friends “browbeat” them about where to apply, what really influenced their decision about where to go?
How Kids Really Choose a School|Steve Cohen|June 26, 2009|DAILY BEAST

He instantly understood the facts, but dared not browbeat an earl.
The King of Diamonds|Louis Tracy
He reviewed the great progress of Chartism, abused the Whigs, and browbeat the press.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
There were no evasions, no special pleadings, no attempts to browbeat witnesses, or to sail off on side issues.
A Gamble with Life|Silas K. Hocking
They argued with her, pleaded with her, tried to browbeat her.
The Ruling Passion|Henry van Dyke
Bohemond raged, and stormed, and tried to browbeat the fellow into contradictions.
God Wills It!|William Stearns Davis

British Dictionary definitions for browbeat

browbeat

verb -beats, -beating, -beat or -beaten

(tr) to discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate

Derived Formsbrowbeater, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for browbeat

browbeat

"to bully," originally "to bear down with stern or arrogant looks," 1580s, from brow + beat (v.).

[I]t appears from the earliest quotations ... that the brow in question was that of the beater, not of the beaten party; but it is not evident whether the meaning was 'to beat with one's (frowning) brows,' or 'to beat (?lower) one's brows at.' [OED]

Related: Browbeaten; browbeating.