Synonyms of hector

hector 1 of 2

noun

ˈhek-tər 

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

• bully
• enemy
• intimidator
• thug
• abuser
• harasser
• bullyboy
• torturer
• oppressor
• gangster
• rough
• antagonist
• baiter
• tough
• tease
• hooligan
• ridiculer
• ruffian
• heckler
• hoodlum
• rowdy
• mocker
• persecutor
• goon
• harrier
• roughneck
• hood
• taunter
• racketeer
• jiber
• teaser
• needler
• giber
• toughie
• felon
• cutthroat
• punk
• mobster
• gunman
• toughy
• mug

hector

2 of 2

verb

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

• intimidate
• bully
• frighten
• browbeat
• coerce
• scare
• bulldoze
• badger
• startle
• cow
• harass
• bogart
• strong-arm
• threaten
• pick on
• bullyrag
• shock
• blackjack
• bluster
• terrify
• compel
• terrorize
• menace
• pressure
• force
• spook
• bludgeon
• hound
• alarm
• horrify
• oblige
• disturb
• perturb
• trash-talk
• constrain
• disconcert
• press
• affright
• alarum
• demoralize
• dragoon
• upset
• unman
• distress
• unnerve
• discompose
• push around
• psych (out)
• disquiet
• make

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassure
• cheer
• encourage
• soothe
• console
• comfort
• steel
• persuade
• convince
• solace
• embolden
• hearten

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hector distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of hector are badger, bait, chivy, heckle, and hound. While all these words mean "to harass by efforts to break down," hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering.

football players hectored by their coach

Where would badger be a reasonable alternative to hector?

The synonyms badger and hector are sometimes interchangeable, but badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy.

badgered her father for a car

When is it sensible to use bait instead of hector?

Although the words bait and hector have much in common, bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim.

baited the chained dog

When could chivy be used to replace hector?

While the synonyms chivy and hector are close in meaning, chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging.

chivied the new student mercilessly

When is heckle a more appropriate choice than hector?

The words heckle and hector can be used in similar contexts, but heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker.

drunks heckled the stand-up comic

When would hound be a good substitute for hector?

The words hound and hector are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing.

hounded by creditors

Examples of hector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

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

Schwarzenegger liked to hector state residents on global warming and green energy, and brag about his commitment to wind and solar power. —Victor Davis Hanson, The Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2017

Verb

At that point, Amy sets out to systematically destroy top management, never deviating from her conviction that she alone is driven to act by idealism and truth, never aware that people flee her smiling, hectoring presence. —Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 4 May 2024

Honoring American values, moreover, is more than a matter of hectoring repressive regimes. —Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!