STRONG-ARMING Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

strong-arming 1 of 2

noun

as in bullying

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strong-arming

2 of 2

verb

present participle of strong-arm

as in intimidating

to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats developers trying to strong-arm homeowners into selling their houses at below-market prices

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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 strong-arming

Verb

Tech leaders have quietly backed Anthropic, saying that AI isn’t ready for some weapons and that strong-arming companies is counterproductive and antidemocratic. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026 Hezbollah, for the longest time, was strong-arming other parties, and they are accused of assassinating a former Prime Minister. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strong-arming

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

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

Verb

But in the past, these efforts were largely aimed at threatening or coercing Washington to act in their favor.

— Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
The losses exceed the number of fresh recruits that Moscow can muster, and Russian authorities are coercing men into signing up.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of coercing

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

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

Noun

On his mind are various ideas for addressing social upheaval.

— Reuters, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Kyiv, meanwhile, aims to sow economic discontent among Russians with strikes against oil refineries and e-commerce warehouses, but experts argued domestic upheaval is unlikely to change Moscow’s calculus.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of upheaval

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

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Synonyms of strong-arming

noun

verb

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