HENPECKING Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

henpecking

verb

present participle of henpeck

as in nagging

to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders my doctor henpecked me into adopting a healthier lifestyle

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for henpecking

Verb

His advice for a session is to chase whatever task is nagging at you, but resist the temptation to sneak in actual work.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026
His one rule for guests is to chase whatever task is nagging at them, but to resist sneaking in actual work.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026

Definition of nagging

Verb

In the past, Harry has openly blamed the press for hounding his late mother, Princess Diana, before and after her death and more recently his wife, Meghan.

— Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Speaking about the tumultuous relationship on a 2024 episode of SiriusXM's This Life of Mine with James Corden, Miller reflected on the boiling point between the scandalous affair and the chaos of the paparazzi and tabloids hounding them.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 17 June 2026

Definition of hounding

Verb

Still, there’s a reason Inside the Actors Studio ran for 22 seasons and the most fervent alt-rap acolytes are constantly begging their idols to empty their hard drives.

— Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 29 July 2026
Online campaigns and Reddit threads pop up regularly begging Planters to revive them.

— Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

Definition of begging

Verb

Investors have been ratcheting up their expectations for the industry as some companies hike their outlooks and get a better handle on rising medical costs in those plans – an issue that has been dogging the broader sector for more than two years.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 29 July 2026
There is a new solution to a problem that's been dogging the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office.

— Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Definition of dogging

Verb

Despite impressive demonstrations, a true, self-improving AI beyond human control remains unproven, urging leaders to distinguish current capabilities from future forecasts.

— Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Police are urging anyone with information about Waddell's whereabouts to come forward, specifically asking fishermen, boat operators and residents along Grenada's southern coastline to report any sightings that could assist in the search.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of urging

Verb

Lestat wants Molloy to tell his side of the story, but Lestat also can’t bear to open up, spending more time needling Molloy than actually engaging with his questions.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 23 June 2026
But as the November election draws closer and Republicans are trying to defend their majorities, Trump is instead needling Congress with his demands and reversals, driving several Republican senators to disparage his actions publicly for the first time.

— Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026

Definition of needling

Verb

Wasps are generally more interested in building their colony and finding food than in bothering people.

— Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 July 2026
But after going ahead, England manager Thomas Tuchel tried to shut the back door by throwing on countless defenders and not bothering to attack Argentina anymore.

— Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

Definition of bothering

Verb

Nine said league members received money they were owed only after badgering him directly, including threatening to expose him publicly or report him to his employer, and even then, some received only partial winnings.

— Alex Andrejev, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Unlike during Warsh’s first stint at the Fed, the current president has been badgering the central bank for rate cuts.

— Reuters, NBC news, 13 May 2026

Definition of badgering

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.

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henpecked

henpecking

henpecks

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“Henpecking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/henpecking. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of henpecking

verb

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