as in bully
a person who teases, threatens, or hurts smaller, weaker, or more vulnerable persons
law penalizing debt collection agencies that operate like hectors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to intimidate
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats
the judge warned the attorney that hectoring the witness with aggressive questioning would not be allowed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hector
The Economist, 18 July 2017
Trump’s proposals to match China’s import fees and to hector companies into keeping jobs in the United States represent a huge threat to the mercantilist Asian economic model.
—Joel Kotkin, Orange County Register, 2 Apr. 2017
Will Leitch, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2024
Into this hallucination comes rival Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), perhaps a badder witch than Agatha, in the guise of a federal agent, who will hector Agatha back in the relatively real world.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hector 
Noun
THE young woman with the microphone cajoles, hectors and wheedles customers with the breathless enthusiasm of a livestock auctioneer at a county fair.
—The Economist, 18 July 2017
Trump’s proposals to match China’s import fees and to hector companies into keeping jobs in the United States represent a huge threat to the mercantilist Asian economic model.
—Joel Kotkin, Orange County Register, 2 Apr. 2017
Verb
Greengrass’s attempts to wrap a political statement up in Bourne clothing is awkward and jarring, and the movie is more preachy and hectoring than particularly enlightening.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2024
Into this hallucination comes rival Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), perhaps a badder witch than Agatha, in the guise of a federal agent, who will hector Agatha back in the relatively real world.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hector
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hector
Noun
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In the end, dictators tap into something essential in human nature—the deference before a bully.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
10 Jan. 2025
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Some of them are bullies, some of them are just ill-prepared.—
Stephen Rodrick,
Rolling Stone,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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For the uninitiated, dragon fruit can be intimidating.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Jan. 2025
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Frame Criticisms Constructively Delivering critical feedback or raising concerns can be intimidating, but CEOs value honesty when it’s delivered thoughtfully.—
Chiara Alzati,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Some of the soldiers whom Chernov follows into battle remain gung-ho about defeating the enemy, though others, like the filmmaker himself, voice fears that there’s no end in sight.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
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While past presidents were somewhat willing to work with political rivals or enemies, Trump has always put a greater emphasis on loyalty.—
William Gavin,
Quartz,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Where another artist might rely on grotesque specifics to frighten the reader, Mignola’s insinuating expanses of black ink conceal all but the most necessary details of a rich and malevolent world, filled with monstrosities, yes, but also oddities, many of them delightful.—
Sam Thielman,
New York Times,
20 Jan. 2025
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As the devastating wildfires began to sweep across Los Angeles on Jan. 7, frightened residents were not turning to Netflix.—
Stephen Battaglio,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to hector
Thesaurus Entries Near hector
Cite this Entry
“Hector.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hector. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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