strongarming
Bullying into compliance
Strongarming is using force, threats, or intimidation to compel someone to do something.
The term evokes physical coercion—twisting someone's arm—but extends to any aggressive pressure tactics: The company was strongarming suppliers into accepting lower prices.
Politicians, businesses, and bullies all get accused of strongarming when they push too hard.
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- pressuringExerting influence to compel
- forcingCompelling through pressure
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
browbeating · arm-twisting · bulldozing · muscling · railroading · steamrolling · leaning on · pushing around
Treating with physical force
- grabbingTaking hold suddenly
- restrainingHolding something back
- roughing upInflicting minor violence
- shovingPushing with force
pinning · grappling · subduing · overpowering · wrestling · brute force · muscling · bouncer
Advocating to decision-makers
- backroom dealsSecret unofficial negotiations
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- power playStrategic leverage attempt
- influence peddlingSelling political access
bribery · quid pro quo · extortion · shakedown · patronage · kickbacks · corruption · cronyism
Unwanted corporate buyout attempt
- predatory pricingBelow-cost selling to eliminate competition
- monopolizingTaking exclusive control
- undercuttingCharging less than rivals
- squeezing outForcing out by pressure
market manipulation · price fixing · cartel · racketeering · protection money · shakedown · union busting · lockout
intimidation
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- pressuringExerting influence to compel
- forcingCompelling through pressure
threatening · browbeating · arm-twisting · bulldozing · muscling · railroading · steamrolling · leaning on · pushing around · menacing
manhandling
Treating with physical force
- grabbingTaking hold suddenly
- restrainingHolding something back
- roughing upInflicting minor violence
shoving · pinning · grappling · subduing · overpowering · wrestling · brute force · muscling · bouncer · enforcer
lobbying
Advocating to decision-makers
- backroom dealsSecret unofficial negotiations
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- power playStrategic leverage attempt
influence peddling · bribery · quid pro quo · extortion · shakedown · patronage · kickbacks · corruption · cronyism · nepotism
hostile takeover
Unwanted corporate buyout attempt
- predatory pricingBelow-cost selling to eliminate competition
- monopolizingTaking exclusive control
- undercuttingCharging less than rivals
squeezing out · market manipulation · price fixing · cartel · racketeering · protection money · shakedown · union busting · lockout · leveraged buyout
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- coercionduress, coercing, compelling, threat, forcing
- dominance tacticsbullying, commanding, controlling, dictating, domineering
- power movesintimidation, swagger, ultimatum, leverage, gambit
- manipulationgaslighting, guilt tripping, blame-shifting, brainwashing, guilt trip
strongarmingpersuading
Inducing belief or action
coaxing · entreating · requesting · cajoling · negotiating
strongarmingdeferring
Postponing or yielding respectfully
yielding · accommodating · acquiescing · submitting · backing off
strength, strengthen, strengths, strongman, strong-armed, strengthened, strong-arm, strongbox, strengthens