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.

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henpecked British  

/ ˈhɛnˌpɛkd /

adjective

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

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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

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 • Nov. 8, 2024

“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

Flinching at every flap of his wife’s lacerating tongue, he’s a near caricature of the henpecked husband, and Mr. Shannon plays him with the air of a slightly vexed manservant.

From New York Times • Apr. 9, 2015

“I swear, Gitl, that man is already henpecked and not even married to you yet.”

From "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen