HECTORED Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

hectored 1 of 2

adjective

as in cowed

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hectored

2 of 2

verb

past tense of hector

as in intimidated

to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats the judge warned the attorney that hectoring the witness with aggressive questioning would not be allowed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of hectored

Verb

At school, he was hectored because of his shabby wardrobe. — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 23 June 2026 For over a century, citizens have been surveilled while the media is harassed and hectored into compromise, so that the official rhetoric of Slavic suprematism can go unchallenged. — Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026 Jason Sudeikis, Robert Smigel, and George Wendt hectored Kelce to (1) make Taylor pony up for a new stadium and (2) propose already. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hectored

Adjective

The biggest hurdle, though, is simply believing the Elle Woods who learns to prove her doubters wrong at 16 would be so intimidated when faced with doing it again at 22.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 June 2026
In traditional settings, people often feel rushed, intimidated, and unseen.

— Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026

Definition of intimidated

Verb

View this post on Instagram Priscilla Villanueva said her son, Dakota Cabrera, has been bullied for wearing his hair in a braid, but seeing Pete do the same gives him hope.

— Marissa Armas, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Trump has all but severed America’s system of alliances, mocked and bullied Ukraine’s president, and showered praise upon Kim Jong Un.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of bullied

Adjective

Audiences who endured the Miramax era have been browbeaten to believe that the best picture Oscar should go to a period piece that chokes out a sob from audiences.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Not to the extent that the user is necessarily being browbeaten.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Definition of browbeaten

Adjective

All of us artists could stand to be more like Mark, willing to speak out for oppressed people everywhere, even when powerful people try to bully us into silence.

— Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
Ella is a young woman cursed to obey all instructions whose quest for self-determination also turns her into an advocate for the kingdom’s oppressed elves and ogres.

— Chris Bellamy, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of oppressed

Adjective

If the fluids were removed without replacement, the immense geological weight of the overlying earth would cause the salt domes to collapse inward like a crushed shield.

— Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
The other roughly 95% is a crushed powder that is called tailings.

— Erin Hassanzadeh, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of crushed

Adjective

In the end, a downtrodden Sporting side came close to picking up an upset win but settled for a 1-1 draw.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026
Just as iconic is the song’s inclusion in the classic 2003 comedy Old School, starring Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson, and Vince Vaughn as three downtrodden thirtysomethings who start their own fraternity.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 9 July 2026

Definition of downtrodden

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“Hectored.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hectored. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hectored

adjective

verb

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