HECTORING Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

hectoring 1 of 2

noun

as in browbeating

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

hectoring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of hector

as in intimidating

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 hectoring

Noun

Greengrass’s attempts to wrap a political statement up in Bourne clothing is awkward and jarring, and the movie is more preachy and hectoring than particularly enlightening. — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 1 Jan. 2026 Imagine if Clooney had chosen to use his star power to spotlight a genuinely worthy project — the way, say, Sarah Paulson did with Appropriate or Keanu Reeves is doing with Waiting For Godot — rather than the stuffy, moribund, on-the-nose hectoring that was Good Night, and Good Luck? — Greg Evans, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025 Sure, there's the hectoring of Federal Reserve officials, Chairman Jerome Powell and Governor Lisa Cook, and the attempt by the president to make the central bank another appendage of the White House. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025

Verb

His character is a severe, hectoring figure; his lessons amount to an exhortation to be as mean as possible when money is concerned. — Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026 Pratt was just another angry New Yorker hectoring calumnies against all forms of authority. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026 Perhaps more meaningfully, the message is the antithesis of a contrived political pitch or a hectoring sermon. — Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Feb. 2026 Dealing with the hectoring racket of New York fans may well have prepared him to withstand the noise of the Super Bowl. — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hectoring

Noun

Many are worried that social media continues to increase the risks of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, bullying and other harms.

— Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
That will depend on how Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada responds to the moment—and the courage of allies who have likewise tired of US bullying.

— Wal van Lierop, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of bullying

Noun

The demands to stop the bulldozing and construction of areas in the Big Bend region of Texas are continuing, despite a pause in the work.

— Ken Molestina, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Outside, the ceaseless roar of jackhammering and bulldozing went on as the ballroom, challenged by lawsuits and protected by that titanium fencing, took shape.

— Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026

Definition of bulldozing

Verb

His process of doing so involved disparaging his accusers, browbeating people and institutions that no longer wanted to be associated with him, and refusing to accept a path that precluded a return to being a public figure.

— Elizabeth Spiers, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
Analysts have suggested a vote from Waller in favor of interest rate cuts, aligning with the president’s browbeating demands for lower borrowing costs—could be seen as a bellwether for his candidacy.

— Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026

Definition of browbeating

Noun

The elimination of those limits could fuel a bigger onslaught of election ads if broadcasters are forced to offer their lowest ad rates to parties and committees.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
Life was an onslaught of bright lights, loud noises, intolerable textures and tastes.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of onslaught

Noun

However, the threat of taking California to the Supreme Court may be enough to bring the state’s AG Rob Bonta back to the bargaining table.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
For those who pursued advanced degrees in education, the threat of student loans was also a burden.

— Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of threat

Noun

Some market participants are already taking action by betting on a cooling AI frenzy.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The companies’ interest in the Monarch data center shows how the feeding frenzy for compute has reached a new pitch as AI companies look to nail down capacity amid the AI buildout.

— J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of frenzy

Noun

Not since voters passed Proposition 13, an iconic property tax limit, in 1978 and touched off tax revolts in other states has a California measure potentially affected America’s taxation policies so broadly.

— Dan Walters, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026
After years of requesting simpler access to the life-saving therapy – and partially getting it during the pandemic, without negative consequences – many in that world were in full revolt.

— Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of revolt

Browse Nearby Words

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

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Synonyms of hectoring

noun

verb

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