STRONG-ARMING Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

strong-arming 1 of 2

noun

as in bullying

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strong-arming

2 of 2

verb

present participle of strong-arm

as in intimidating

to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats developers trying to strong-arm homeowners into selling their houses at below-market prices

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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 strong-arming

Verb

Tech leaders have quietly backed Anthropic, saying that AI isn’t ready for some weapons and that strong-arming companies is counterproductive and antidemocratic. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026 Hezbollah, for the longest time, was strong-arming other parties, and they are accused of assassinating a former Prime Minister. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strong-arming

Noun

Questions soon emerge about the bullying that preceded his death, and about how many of them knew what was happening.

— Essie Assibu, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Last month, Central Connecticut State University President Zulma Toro stepped down after the union president filed a complaint of workforce bullying and intimidation against her.

— Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of bullying

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

In contrast to other Gulf monarchies, especially Saudi Arabia, Qatar sees no threat in the Muslim Brotherhood, the political movement that spawned Hamas.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
In other words, the biggest threats on the horizon might not be the Vatican or their local dioceses as much as time and money.

— Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of threat

Verb

In lawsuits filed last year, Chegg and PMC accused Google of abusing its monopoly power by coercing publishers into supplying content for AI Overviews for free, or risk disappearing from search results.

— Emma Roth, The Verge, 1 Oct. 2026
Playing that cat, a work camp warden coercing Hawke’s character into smuggling gold through the wilderness, is none other than Russell Crowe.

— Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of coercing

Noun

The demands to stop the bulldozing and construction of areas in the Big Bend region of Texas are continuing, despite a pause in the work.

— Ken Molestina, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Outside, the ceaseless roar of jackhammering and bulldozing went on as the ballroom, challenged by lawsuits and protected by that titanium fencing, took shape.

— Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026

Definition of bulldozing

Noun

This restoration is assembled from Russell’s personal edit, the kind of news that will drive certain cinephiles into a frenzy.

— Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Among the biggest decliners were chip companies, reflecting mounting worries about how long the frenzy over the AI buildout will last.

— Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of frenzy

Noun

The 2022 Freedom Convoy began over vaccine requirements for cross-border truckers but grew into a broader revolt against pandemic restrictions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Advertisement The Yellow Vest revolt of 2018 to 2019 was an earlier social explosion of precisely that resentment.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of revolt

Noun

Political upheaval The prosecutions have unfolded against the backdrop of dramatic changes in relations between Washington and Caracas.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
As Japan entered a period of political upheaval in the mid-nineteenth century, criminal gangs became useful in a new way.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of upheaval

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strong-armed

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

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Synonyms of strong-arming

noun

verb

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