hector
Intimidate with bluster
To hector is to bully or badger someone with aggressive, persistent pressure: Stop hectoring me about the deadline.
The word implies relentless intimidation rather than physical violence—a boss hectoring employees, a parent hectoring a child about grades.
The hectoring person wears down resistance through sheer persistence. (Capitalized Hector is the Trojan hero.)
Promise harm or punishment
- menaceSource of potential harm
- coerceObtain by intimidation
- terrorizeFrighten into submission
- frightenCause sudden alarm
cow · daunt · overawe · pressure · strong-arm · bulldoze · steamroll · tyrannize
Educational spoken presentation
- berateCriticize severely and lengthily
- scoldRebuke harshly
- chideRebuke mildly
- upbraidCriticize harshly, verbally
admonish · reproach · rebuke · rail · tirade · browbeat · castigate · lambaste
One who causes anguish
- harasserOne who intimidates repeatedly
- intimidatorOne who threatens others
- persecutorOne who harasses relentlessly
- antagonistOne who opposes another
aggressor · browbeater · badger · nag · hound · pester · plague · victimize
threaten
Promise harm or punishment
frighten · cow · daunt · overawe · pressure · strong-arm · bulldoze · steamroll · tyrannize · domineer
lecture
Educational spoken presentation
upbraid · admonish · reproach · rebuke · rail · tirade · browbeat · castigate · lambaste · censure
tormentor
One who causes anguish
- harasserOne who intimidates repeatedly
- intimidatorOne who threatens others
- persecutorOne who harasses relentlessly
antagonist · aggressor · browbeater · badger · nag · hound · pester · plague · victimize · target
- persuasionpersuade, persuasion, persuasive, convince, convincing
- oppressoppress, persecute, tyrannize, subjugate, dominate
- blusterboast, boasting, rant, bragging, swagger