Browbeating

/ˈbraʊˌbiːtɪŋ/ noun, verb (present participle)

The act of intimidating or bullying someone by using angry looks, loud voice, or threatening behavior to make them do what you want.

From 'brow' (the forehead area showing emotion) combined with 'beat,' originating in the 1500s. The image is of someone using a frowning, threatening brow to dominate others, as if 'beating' them with fierce looks.

📖 Full word page — etymology, 47 translations, audio 🔑 Get Free API Key — 50 lookups/day 📚 Read the Docs — integrate Word Orb