bulldoze

verb

ˈbu̇l-ˌdōz How to pronounce bulldoze (audio)
Definition of bulldozenext
1
as in to push
to force one's way bulldozed through the crowd at the arena, urgently trying to find the bathroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to intimidate
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats one of those gatherings at which high-pressure sales reps try to bulldoze naive people into buying time-shares

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word bulldoze different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of bulldoze are browbeat, bully, cow, and intimidate. While all these words mean "to frighten into submission," bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

When can browbeat be used instead of bulldoze?

The words browbeat and bulldoze can be used in similar contexts, but browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

In what contexts can bully take the place of bulldoze?

While the synonyms bully and bulldoze are close in meaning, bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

When is it sensible to use cow instead of bulldoze?

Although the words cow and bulldoze have much in common, cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost.

not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business

When might intimidate be a better fit than bulldoze?

The words intimidate and bulldoze are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

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 bulldoze In 2018, the company bulldozed the newspaper’s former newsroom building. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026 Fernando Mendoza bulldozed his way into the end zone and Indiana bullied its way into the history books Monday night, toppling Miami 27-21 to put the finishing touch on a rags-to-riches story, an undefeated season and the national title. —Arkansas Online, 20 Jan. 2026 Crews began bulldozing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s offices in Sheikh Jarrah and fired tear gas at a vocational school in Qalandiya, marking Israel’s latest and most dramatic step against UNRWA. —Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026 While explosive aerial strikes target gang positions, police units move in on the ground, bulldozing homes and using bullhorns to warn residents of upcoming operations. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bulldoze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulldoze
  1. push
  2. intimidate
  3. squeeze
  4. bully
Verb
  • The decisions centered around the dates for quarterfinal and semifinal games, as well as the move to push the championship game back to even further in January has drawn some backlash.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Its forecast for profit in the current quarter fell short of analysts' expectations as an industrywide shortage of memory pushes some handset makers to cut back on orders.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of push
Verb
  • The goal was to intimidate the family into not competing in the Beijing Games.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
  • The grand jury indictment charged Lemon and eight others with conspiracy against right of religious freedom at place of worship and another count of working to injure, intimidate or interfere with the exercise the right of religious freedom at a place of worship.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of intimidate
Verb
  • But, squeezed by the cost of things from rent to beef, others are shaking up their habit.
    — Matt Sedensky, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Ag is being squeezed by foreign competition, rising costs, and weak leadership in Austin.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • Rootselaar transitioned from male to female about six years ago and subsequently dropped out of school two years later, but McDonald said there is no evidence that Rootselaar dropped out due to bullying because of the transition.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 12 Feb. 2026
  • For more than a year, high-ranking staffers have resigned, often in public fashion, and accused him of bullying them and abusing his office’s authority.
    — Ryan Oehrli February 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of bully

Browse Nearby Words

bull's-eyes
bulldoze
bulldozed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bulldoze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulldoze. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on bulldoze

Nglish: Translation of bulldoze for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

What does 'etcetera' mean?

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

The Words of the Week - Feb. 13

Why do we call it 'ides of March'?
See More

Popular

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All