BULLDOZE Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

bulldoze

verb

ˈbu̇l-ˌdōz

Definition of bulldoze

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

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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

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 bulldoze That move was largely popular, resonating with fans who did not want to see the club’s home of 133 years bulldozed, but Goodison could do with more investment. — Matt Slater, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Surrounding Ain Ebel are the ruins of towns and villages hit by relentless Israeli bombardment, bulldozing and controlled demolitions. — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 The dead from Srebrenica were bulldozed into mass graves over four days in July 1995, some of them dug up and relocated to remote mountains so as to hide evidence of the killings. — Ivana Sekularac, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 The developers intend to bulldoze existing structures on the property, including Hokkaido Buffet, a local restaurant. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bulldoze

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulldoze

Verb

Torrential rain has pushed all three waterways higher for days, spilling them over their banks in northeastern Argentina, southern Paraguay and western Uruguay.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Audit reports, supplier codes of conduct and corporate sustainability pledges have made up the bulk of brands’ efforts to push a more ecological and socially aware agenda, but times have changed.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of push

Verb

Amid reports of a surge in federal immigration raids, Los Angeles leaders and immigration advocates said Friday that the efforts appear aimed at discouraging turnout in the midterm elections, and urged voters not to be intimidated.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
In the books, Xaden is described as a large, dominating wing leader with dark, intimidating features who is highly revered by the rest of the Basgiath War College.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of intimidate

Verb

Meta squeezes two independent light-guiding cores into a single standard glass strand to double its bandwidth.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
Fuel expenses are squeezing daily household budgets and tightening cash flow toward the end of the month, with reports indicating a growing number of French employees are requesting payroll advances to manage month end expenses.

— , CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of squeeze

Verb

James McAvoy recalls his first day on the set of Band of Brothers and says a co-star bullied him.

— Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Musk’s forthright, crusty dad Errol sounds almost proud that something was bullied out of his son, but the movie avoids filling out that traumatic childhood.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of bully

Browse Nearby Words

bull's-eyes

bulldoze

bulldozed

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“Bulldoze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulldoze. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bulldoze

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Synonyms of bulldoze

verb

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