Synonyms of bulldoze

bulldoze

verb

ˈbu̇l-ˌdōz 

1

as in to push

to force one's way

bulldozed through the crowd at the arena, urgently trying to find the bathroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

• push
• squeeze
• shove
• bore
• muscle
• elbow
• bull
• press
• jostle
• crash
• jam
• shoulder
• thrust
• ram

2

as in to intimidate

to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats

one of those gatherings at which high-pressure sales reps try to bulldoze naive people into buying time-shares

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intimidate
• bully
• frighten
• scare
• coerce
• browbeat
• strong-arm
• startle
• threaten
• cow
• harass
• pick on
• hector
• badger
• shock
• terrorize
• bogart
• bullyrag
• terrify
• force
• compel
• pressure
• blackjack
• horrify
• bluster
• disturb
• bludgeon
• spook
• constrain
• menace
• oblige
• demoralize
• alarm
• perturb
• hound
• trash-talk
• upset
• unnerve
• disconcert
• make
• affright
• press
• push around
• psych (out)
• dragoon
• distress
• discompose
• disquiet
• unman

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassure
• cheer
• encourage
• soothe
• comfort
• steel
• convince
• console
• persuade
• solace
• embolden
• hearten

Synonym Chooser

How is the word bulldoze different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of bulldoze are browbeat, bully, cow, and intimidate. While all these words mean "to frighten into submission," bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

When can browbeat be used instead of bulldoze?

The words browbeat and bulldoze can be used in similar contexts, but browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

In what contexts can bully take the place of bulldoze?

While the synonyms bully and bulldoze are close in meaning, bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

When is it sensible to use cow instead of bulldoze?

Although the words cow and bulldoze have much in common, cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost.

not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business

When might intimidate be a better fit than bulldoze?

The words intimidate and bulldoze are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bulldoze

When money is received, the group works with wildlife managers if a location needs to be sheared, burned or bulldozed. —Andrew Weeks, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2026

Stand your ground without bulldozing the people who love you. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026

Trump has already bulldozed the East Wing, which had been built in 1902 during President Theodore Roosevelt’s administration and expanded in 1942 during Franklin Roosevelt’s administration. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026

If it’s ultimately built, the massive project would require bulldozing dozens of acres of woodlands and could theoretically drive up the town’s population by 10%. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026