henpecked

American  

[hen-pekt] / ˈhɛnˌpɛkt /

adjective

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

   a henpecked husband who never dared to contradict his wife.

---

henpecked British  

/ ˈhɛnˌpɛkd /

adjective

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

---

Other Word Forms

• henpecking noun

Etymology

Origin of henpecked

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

Example Sentences

He went on to star in the spin-off George and Mildred, in which Murphy played a henpecked George Roper opposite fellow Theatre Workshop actress Yootha Joyce as his wife.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2025

“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 • Nov. 9, 2021

A henpecked husband looks to his talking dog for consolation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2021

“People at airports are on tight schedules and are henpecked enough as it is,” Jay Cost, a senior writer for the conservative Weekly Standard, said on Twitter.

From New York Times • Jan. 30, 2017

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

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott