Definition
To browbeat someone is to intimidate or bully them with harsh words or behavior.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Verb
Synonyms
Intimidate, bully, hector, coerce, pressure, threaten
Antonyms
Encourage, support, empower, assist, inspire
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | None |
| Verb | browbeating, browbeat, browbeaten, browbeats |
| Adjective | None |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
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The boss tried to browbeat his employees into working overtime, but they refused to be intimidated.
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The coach was known for his tendency to browbeat his players during practice, but it only made them resentful and demotivated.
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The politician was accused of using his position to browbeat his opponents and silence dissenting voices.
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The teacher’s attempts to browbeat her students into studying harder only made them more anxious and less motivated.
Usage
The word “browbeat” is often used to describe a behavior that involves the use of aggressive or threatening language or actions to intimidate or bully someone into doing something. This type of behavior is generally seen as negative and unproductive, as it can create feelings of fear, resentment, and hostility.
The word “browbeat” is commonly used in contexts such as workplace, school, politics, and personal relationships. For example, a boss may try to browbeat employees into working longer hours or taking on more tasks, a teacher may try to browbeat students into studying harder, or a partner may try to browbeat their significant other into doing something they don’t want to do.
The root of the word “browbeat” is “brow”, which refers to the forehead or the face. The word “beat” is used here in the sense of “to strike or hit”, but in the context of the word “browbeat”, it refers more to the idea of forcefully striking someone with words or behavior, rather than physical violence.
There are a few variations of the word “browbeat” that can be used to modify its meaning or tone. For example, the prefix “over-” can be added to create the word “overbrowbeat”, which implies an excessive or exaggerated use of intimidation or bullying. Similarly, the suffix “-ing” can be added to create the word “browbeating”, which refers to the act of intimidating or bullying someone.
In conclusion, the word “browbeat” is commonly used to describe a behavior that involves the use of aggressive or threatening language or actions to intimidate or bully someone into doing something. Its root, “brow”, refers to the forehead or face, and its variations provide a way to modify its meaning or tone. The use of such behavior is generally seen as negative and unproductive, and can create feelings of fear, resentment, and hostility.