Hectoring
adjective
Behaving in an aggressive or domineering way.
She turned a hectoring eye to her son when he failed to finish his vegetables.
Often appears as...
- hectoring tone
- hectoring manner
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To harass or pressure someone persistently.
He started hectoring his younger brother to do his homework.
Often appears as...
- hectoring someone into
- hectoring about
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Behaving in an aggressive or domineering way.
She turned a hectoring eye to her son when he failed to finish his vegetables.
Often appears as...
- hectoring tone
- hectoring manner
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To harass or pressure someone persistently.
He started hectoring his younger brother to do his homework.
Often appears as...
- hectoring someone into
- hectoring about
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Indicates disapproval and makes the speaker seem unkind or rude.
His hectoring speech made the audience uncomfortable.
Pro Tip 2/3Authority Figures
Often used to describe someone in a position of power misusing their authority.
The boss's hectoring manner left the employees feeling demoralized.
Pro Tip 3/3Conflict Situations
Commonly used in describing conflicts where one person is overbearing.
During the debate, her hectoring approach overshadowed her valid points.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Indicates disapproval and makes the speaker seem unkind or rude.
His hectoring speech made the audience uncomfortable.
Pro Tip 2/3Authority Figures
Often used to describe someone in a position of power misusing their authority.
The boss's hectoring manner left the employees feeling demoralized.
Pro Tip 3/3Conflict Situations
Commonly used in describing conflicts where one person is overbearing.
During the debate, her hectoring approach overshadowed her valid points.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Indicates disapproval and makes the speaker seem unkind or rude.
His hectoring speech made the audience uncomfortable.
Pro Tip 2/3Authority Figures
Often used to describe someone in a position of power misusing their authority.
The boss's hectoring manner left the employees feeling demoralized.
Pro Tip 3/3Conflict Situations
Commonly used in describing conflicts where one person is overbearing.
During the debate, her hectoring approach overshadowed her valid points.
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Quote examples
Ann Widdecombe
British Politician
I shall not miss the hectoring and backbiting and the lack of generosity towards fallen foes, but I will miss the sheer clubability of parliament. If one fancies a coffee or a meal or a drink then it is always possible to find at least one person out of 646 whose company is congenial.
Quote examples
Richard Coles
English Musician
I think that Christians should have confidence, we have always been part of the mainstream conversation, and if we don't join in often what you hear gets hectoring and mad, just people on the margins.
Quote examples
Ben Dolnick
American Writer
One of my more hectoring voices, throughout my career, has been the one that says I ought to stop what I'm doing and make an outline.
Quote examples
Nish Kumar
British Comedian
There's a fear when you're a comedian of just being hectoring, so you do try to fight against that.
Quote examples
Ann Widdecombe
British Politician
I shall not miss the hectoring and backbiting and the lack of generosity towards fallen foes, but I will miss the sheer clubability of parliament. If one fancies a coffee or a meal or a drink then it is always possible to find at least one person out of 646 whose company is congenial.
Quote examples
Richard Coles
English Musician
I think that Christians should have confidence, we have always been part of the mainstream conversation, and if we don't join in often what you hear gets hectoring and mad, just people on the margins.
Quote examples
Ben Dolnick
American Writer
One of my more hectoring voices, throughout my career, has been the one that says I ought to stop what I'm doing and make an outline.
Quote examples
Nish Kumar
British Comedian
There's a fear when you're a comedian of just being hectoring, so you do try to fight against that.
Example 1 of 4
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