arm-twisting 1 of 2

noun

ˈärm-ˌtwi-stiŋ How to pronounce arm-twisting (audio)
Definition of arm-twistingnext
as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another it took some arm-twisting, but they eventually agreed to make a donation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

arm-twisting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of arm-twist
as in browbeating

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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 arm-twisting
Noun
Call it a figurative arm-twisting. — Eric Stephens, New York Times, 15 May 2026 Other players, however, insist that disarmament must commence first, or else any political process will be subjected to Hamas’s interference, and to arm-twisting by those who can exert influence with their guns and tunnels. — Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025 Ordinarily, any arm-twisting or horse-trading is done behind the scenes, and typically the winning candidate has been able to wrap up the race within days of the November election. — John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arm-twisting
  1. pressure
  2. browbeating
  3. constraint
  4. bullying
  5. compulsion
  6. intimidating
  7. intimidation
  8. hectoring
Noun
  • In retrospect, many Democrats now think that the candidates in 2020 were too willing to bow to pressure with cameras rolling.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Courtney is in school to become a nurse practitioner, which added even more pressure to a home-and-work-life balance.
    — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of pressure
Verb
  • Repent and repair Rather than browbeating people into repentance, the Ne’ilah service’s strategy is to boost them up into it, playing upon the biblical idea of the grandeur of humanity.
    — Reuven Kimelman, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of browbeating
Noun
  • Some packs retain enough energy storage potential to serve stationary applications, where weight and packaging constraints matter less.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
  • ProteinMPNN selects each amino acid based on a series of constraints.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of constraint
Verb
  • At least three employees supervised by Perera have filed bullying complaints with DIR’s Office of Equity and Risk.
    — Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Concerns over bullying on campus, as well as a lack of security, have also been raised.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of bullying
Noun
  • The interior drew its own grim commentary—a few guests expressed feeling a sudden compulsion to jump from the top of the spiral ramp to their death.
    — Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Under state law, lack of consent generally must be shown through forcible compulsion or a clear expression of nonconsent.
    — Ilana Turko, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of compulsion
Verb
  • It’s long been intimidating for immigrants who suffered abuse to call 911, regardless of who was in the White House.
    — Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 14 Oct. 2026
  • And while cracking open an iPod will never not be intimidating, at least the Sprout doesn’t require any soldering.
    — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimidating
Noun
  • The couple was charged last week with multiple counts of conspiracy to commit child abuse and witness intimidation.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Cases can be delayed with different tactics, including intimidation, corruption and procedural mistakes that can reduce charges or even lead to acquittals, said Carole Grace Mbarga, a Cameroonian rights activist.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimidation
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
Definition of hectoring

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Cite this Entry

“Arm-twisting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arm-twisting. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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