browbeat

[ brou-beet ]

See synonyms for: browbeat browbeaten browbeating browbeater on Thesaurus.com

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.

Origin of browbeat

First recorded in 1575–85; brow + beat

Other words for browbeat

cow, badger, tyrannize, harass, coerce

See synonyms for browbeat on Thesaurus.com

Other words from browbeat

browbeater, noun

Words Nearby browbeat

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use browbeat in a sentence

The dal recipe is my favorite because Priya browbeats me, saying, “I don’t want anything to do with this.”
David Chang and Priya Krishna Want You to Get Over Recipes | Lucy Feldman | October 14, 2021 | Time
Getting in someone’s way on the skin track is a misdemeanor, while aggressively browbeating a fellow powder pilgrim in the wilderness is a straight-up felony.
Who Has the Right of Way on the Skin Track? | Sundog | March 26, 2021 | Outside Online
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 | THE 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 | THE 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 | THE 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 | THE DAILY BEAST
He sent the woman up to her room to pack while he expostulated with and browbeat the excited bridegroom in the carriage.
Gallegher and Other Stories | Richard Harding Davis
He proceeded to harangue and even to browbeat the Mayor, who was a very insignificant person compared with Commodore Decatur.
Twelve Naval Captains | Molly Elliot Seawell
Especially as you know perfectly well, and just want to browbeat me into telling lies.
The Magic World | Edith Nesbit
I now think I was wrong; but I had a feeling that the principal intended to browbeat me into an acknowledgment.
Breaking Away | Oliver Optic
I have seen young men browbeat their sisters, tease them, and be continually unkind.
What a Young Woman Ought to Know | Mary Wood-Allen

British Dictionary definitions for browbeat

browbeat

/ (ˈbraʊˌbiːt) /

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

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

Derived forms of browbeat

browbeater, 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

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