browbeat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "browbeat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of intimidating or coercing someone through stern or abusive words. Example: "The manager tended to browbeat his employees into submission, making it difficult for them to voice their concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A day later he successfully browbeat hardliners who control the state broadcasting monopoly into reversing a sudden decision not to air a scheduled interview with him.A decade ago it was the disfavour of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that condemned Mr Khatami's reformist government to failure.

The Economist

In other words, he must browbeat its members, or impress them with his own popularity, which means he is constantly campaigning too.

The Economist

Propaganda outlets have intensified attacks on the spread of rumours online, authorities browbeat online celebrities to be "more responsible" (at least two have been arrested on unrelated charges), and microbloggers can now be jailed for up to three years for tweeting false information that is forwarded 500 times or viewed 5,000 times.

The Economist

At the root is an increasingly destructive army chief, General V.K. Singh, trying to browbeat civilian bosses into prolonging his spell in charge.In dispute is a petty detail: the general's year of birth.

The Economist

After the bruising from the likes of Hugh McColl, the former marine who browbeat Bank of America into its current mess, and Al "Chainsaw" Dunlap who pulped Scott Paper while laying off thousands of employees and pocketing $100m for himself, the boards of corporate America may be yearning to hear Mr Collins's message: Go search out the meek, for they shall inherit the corporation.

The Economist

They blocked the appointment of two of Mr Obama's nominees to senior diplomatic posts in protest at what they saw as the administration's support for Mr Zelaya, an ally of Venezuela's leftist president, Hugo Chávez.In response, Mr Obama dispatched negotiators to Tegucigalpa, Honduras's capital, to browbeat the feuding leaders into a deal.

The Economist

For others, it was broken marriages, or children whose life chances were blighted (the StB would often use threats to children's welfare to browbeat the stubborn).

The Economist

Mr Angelides was a perennial thorn in the side of business, using California's state pension plan to browbeat bosses of firms he disapproved of, and he retains a dim view of Wall Street.

The Economist

By feigning ignorance, aggrieved investors hope to browbeat the government into holding the banks liable, he argues.

The Economist

These caciques may be able to browbeat or buy off voters too, especially in a private house.

The Economist

The Obama administration, in a rare display of toughness, has tried to browbeat Japan's new government into submission, giving the impression in a country long fearful of "karaoke diplomacy" that it expects Mr Hatoyama to sing to its tune.On January 12th Hillary Clinton and her Japanese counterpart, Katsuya Okada, declared in Hawaii that the disagreement would not mar their countries' alliance.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "browbeat", ensure that the context clearly indicates the use of intimidation and coercion, not just strong persuasion. A sentence like, "The lawyer didn't just argue; they browbeat the witness," effectively conveys the severity of the lawyer's approach.

Common error

Avoid using "browbeat" when describing simple negotiation or persuasion. The word implies a significant power dynamic and an intent to intimidate, so it's inappropriate for everyday disagreements or discussions. Use gentler terms like "persuade" or "convince" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "browbeat" is a verb, used transitively to describe the action of intimidating someone into doing something. Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate its use in describing actions of coercion, like "browbeat authorities" or "browbeat voters".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "browbeat" is a verb that describes intimidating someone into doing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, remember that "browbeat" is best suited to describe situations involving a power dynamic and forceful coercion. Alternatives such as "bully" or "coerce" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bully

This term directly implies aggressive intimidation and harassment.

coerce

This suggests forcing someone to do something against their will.

intimidate

This focuses on instilling fear or apprehension in someone.

domineer

This implies asserting control or authority in an oppressive way.

strong-arm

This suggests using force or pressure to achieve a goal.

pressurize

This indicates applying persistent stress to influence someone's actions.

bully into submission

This emphasizes forcing someone into compliance through intimidation.

steamroller

This suggests overwhelming someone with force or power.

railroad

This implies rushing or forcing something through without proper consideration.

twist someone's arm

This means persuading someone with difficulty, often against their initial wishes.

FAQs

How to use "browbeat" in a sentence?

Use "browbeat" to describe intimidating someone into doing something. For example, "The manager tried to browbeat the employee into working overtime" shows the manager's forceful coercion.

What can I say instead of "browbeat"?

You can use alternatives like "bully", "coerce", or "intimidate" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "browbeat" in formal writing?

Yes, "browbeat" can be used in formal writing, especially when describing power dynamics and aggressive coercion. However, ensure the context warrants the strong connotation of the word.

What's the difference between "browbeat" and "persuade"?

"Browbeat" implies intimidation and coercion, while "persuade" suggests convincing someone through reasoning or enticement. The former is forceful and often unwelcome, whereas the latter is generally more amicable.