as in cowed
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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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hectored
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
Verb
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
Verb
-
Don’t be intimidated by a dirty liner.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
-
One of the first things beginners get intimidated by on a motorcycle is its weight.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
-
Boerkircher, playing at Nebraska, bullied Hunter for more than 15 yards before Hunter ripped off his helmet.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Lewis had previously bullied King and took advantage of his kind nature and limited mental capabilities, King’s relatives wrote in a GoFundMe post.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Al-Mousawi, of the historically oppressed Shia Muslim faith, was previously detained and had served about 11 years as a political prisoner following arrests across the region in the wake of the Arab Spring, said Alwadaei of BIRD.—
Jane Lytvynenko,
NBC news,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Dahl had no record of support for other minority, oppressed or marginalized group.—
Alan M. Dershowitz,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lee Cronin was both flattered and frightened when Jason Blum suggested titling his The Mummy reimagining as Lee Cronin’s The Mummy.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2026
-
When to see a doctor Ashamalla stressed that people shouldn’t be frightened by every ache or pain.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The ingredient list is simple, but don't even think about skipping the crushed ice and the classic silver julep cup.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Flavor the tangy, no-bake filling with crushed pineapple, sweetened coconut flakes, and a splash of rum.—
Jenavieve Christensen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Setting expectations for a downtrodden player’s next season isn’t always easy, even when there’s an explanation for the statistical dropoff.—
Al Melchior,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Wonder if there's a former Alabama defensive coach looking to be a coordinator for a downtrodden NFC East franchise.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hectored.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hectored. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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