hectored 1 of 2

adjective

as in cowed

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hectored

2 of 2

verb

past tense of hector
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

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 hectored
Verb
At school, he was hectored because of his shabby wardrobe. — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 23 June 2026 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
  1. cowed
  2. intimidated
  3. browbeaten
  4. bullied
  5. oppressed
  6. frightened
  7. crushed
  8. downtrodden
Adjective
  • Then Mattie’s new husband, veterinarian Cole Walker, discovers cowed teenage workers at a puppy mill.
    — Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of cowed
Verb
  • Glass admitted that as a young producer, he was intimidated by Adams and his quiet confidence.
    — Scott Detrow, NPR, 18 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of intimidated
Adjective
  • At times during the inquiry hearings, the nurses were almost browbeaten into accepting the inquiry’s premise.
    — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of browbeaten
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
  • The psychiatrist also highlighted how Latino youth are being bullied due to their ethnic background.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of bullied
Adjective
  • Roosevelt’s patrician upbringing, as well as ties to her husband’s career, led to certain frictions between the two, with Murray consistently urging the First Lady to act on behalf of Black Americans and other oppressed peoples.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
  • All of us artists could stand to be more like Mark, willing to speak out for oppressed people everywhere, even when powerful people try to bully us into silence.
    — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of oppressed
Verb
  • Douglas admitted that his father’s behavior left him and brother Joel frightened.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • At the very start of the pandemic, while most Americans were hunkered down, frightened for their lives and worried about job loss, RealPage hosted a virtual pep talk for landlords.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • Each red tin is packed with layers of white and dark chocolate perfumed with peppermint oil and topped with crushed peppermint candies.
    — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Burgess’ young niece Zoey (Aimee Laurence) suffers a crushed liver in the explosion and desperately needs a transplant.
    — Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of crushed
Adjective
  • Sandler stars as a downtrodden deli worker who steps up to protect his fellow Salem residents from a Halloween-night kidnapping spree.
    — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Living a dozen miles from their closest neighbor (who has a grudge with Lester), even further from the closest town (a downtrodden shell of its former self), and further still from any sort of hope — or temptation.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of downtrodden

Browse Nearby Words

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hectored
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Cite this Entry

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

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