ARM-TWISTING Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

arm-twisting 1 of 2

noun

ˈärm-ˌtwi-stiŋ

Definition of arm-twisting

as in pressure

the use of power to impose one's will on another it took some arm-twisting, but they eventually agreed to make a donation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

arm-twisting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of arm-twist

as in browbeating

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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 arm-twisting

Noun

Call it a figurative arm-twisting. — Eric Stephens, New York Times, 15 May 2026 Other players, however, insist that disarmament must commence first, or else any political process will be subjected to Hamas’s interference, and to arm-twisting by those who can exert influence with their guns and tunnels. — Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025 Ordinarily, any arm-twisting or horse-trading is done behind the scenes, and typically the winning candidate has been able to wrap up the race within days of the November election. — John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for arm-twisting

Noun

That ratio is expected to fall to around two by 2050, putting further pressure on growth and public finances, including healthcare systems, according to Moody’s.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
In the early 2000s, the city authorities stopped the culling of baboon troops in response to public pressure, but that has since swollen the population by a third – to around 500.

— Will Barker, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of pressure

Verb

Repent and repair Rather than browbeating people into repentance, the Ne’ilah service’s strategy is to boost them up into it, playing upon the biblical idea of the grandeur of humanity.

— Reuven Kimelman, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
His process of doing so involved disparaging his accusers, browbeating people and institutions that no longer wanted to be associated with him, and refusing to accept a path that precluded a return to being a public figure.

— Elizabeth Spiers, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026

Definition of browbeating

Noun

Many have been feeling the squeeze as costs for inputs like diesel, fertilizer and seed have soared thanks to refinery constraints and supply disruptions amid the Iran war.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
In California, municipal utilities face constraints in raising rates under Proposition 218, a ballot initiative passed in 1996 that says fees must reflect the costs of providing service.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of constraint

Verb

Concerns over bullying on campus, as well as a lack of security, have also been raised.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Grande had been the subject of a wave of speculation, concern and bullying regarding her physical appearance following images of the actress-singer going viral in late July.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of bullying

Noun

Under state law, lack of consent generally must be shown through forcible compulsion or a clear expression of nonconsent.

— Ilana Turko, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
The real question is whether Pennsylvania and cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia want skill games and other gambling opportunities to be widespread and unavoidable for people who struggle with compulsions to gamble.

— Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of compulsion

Verb

Others have more broad statutes prohibiting any kind of intimidating behavior.

— Danielle Friedman, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
That would be in 51,521-seat Rice-Eccles Stadium, which stands an intimidating 4,637 feet above sea level in scenic Salt Lake City.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of intimidating

Noun

But there are several other federal and state statutes barring voter intimidation that could apply.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
The framework says support for Israel need not mean endorsing every government decision, and calls on Israel to act against settler intimidation and violence.

— Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of intimidation

Verb

His character is a severe, hectoring figure; his lessons amount to an exhortation to be as mean as possible when money is concerned.

— Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
Pratt was just another angry New Yorker hectoring calumnies against all forms of authority.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026

Definition of hectoring

Browse Nearby Words

arm-twisted

arm-twisting

arm-twistings

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Cite this Entry

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“Arm-twisting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arm-twisting. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of arm-twisting

noun

verb

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