henpecked husband
Wife-controlled married man
A henpecked husband is a man whose wife constantly nags, criticizes, or dominates him.
The image comes from hens pecking at roosters or each other in the barnyard.
The term implies the man is weak or submissive: He's become a henpecked husband, afraid to make any decision without her approval.
The expression is old-fashioned but still used, often humorously.
- dominatedControlled or overpowered
- naggedComplained repeatedly at someone
- submissiveReadily yielding to control
- whippedStruck repeatedly, or defeated
- whip handDominant controlling position
meek · doormat · browbeaten · timid · shrinking violet · spineless · obedient · yes man · pussy-whipped · apron-strings · cowed · bossed · controlled · mousy · walks on eggshells · weak-willed · compliant · shrew
henpecked husbandmaster of the house
Home's primary authority figure
patriarch · head of household · lord and master · man of the house · breadwinner
henpecked husbandalpha male
Dominant group leader
macho man · dominant male · tough guy · man's man · strongman
hens, husband, husbands, husbandry, peck, pecks, pecked, pecking, pecker