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 It was bulldozed in the 1970s, but locals keep it alive sharing memories on the public Crockett-history Facebook page. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 20 June 2025 Construction has commenced on projects at the White House ordered by President Donald Trump, with the Rose Garden having been bulldozed as work begins to pave it over. —Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025 The Court ruled five-to-four in favor of letting the city bulldoze the neighborhood. —John Stossel, Oc Register, 19 June 2025 Like many American cities facing this challenge in the ’60s, St. Paul tried to bulldoze its way back to the top. —Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bulldoze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulldoze
  1. push
  2. intimidate
  3. squeeze
  4. bully
Verb
  • Advertisement While New York City has remained the country’s largest sanctuary city, its status as such and Mayor Eric Adams’ desire to push back against the federal government has come into question.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 26 July 2025
  • Vedder thought someone like Kent might push to reconfigure the 90/10 rule.
    — Chris Quintana, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Definition of push
Verb
  • Goalkeepers can intimidate strikers into poor shooting decisions with a good stare-down.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 24 July 2025
  • Cycling shoes can be intimidating—particularly the idea of wearing something that locks your feet right to your bike’s pedals.
    — Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 23 July 2025
Definition of intimidate
Verb
  • Capitalism, which generously expanded classical recording, could abruptly squeeze it, even destroy it.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
  • The Euro 2025 quarter-finals had late drama, with Italy squeezing past Norway, a comeback out of nowhere from England, and a farcical penalty shootout win over Sweden.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 20 July 2025
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • During his childhood, he was isolated and bullied and eventually became addicted to heroin and struggled with his weight.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 20 July 2025
  • Edmondson bullied Lapin the entire round and the Ukrainian looked gas.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
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 30 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

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

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

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

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
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?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All