The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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hector

verb

/ˈhɛktə/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of hector

To bully or intimidate someone, usually through aggressive or blustering behavior.
"The boss can be known to hector employees when they make mistakes."

Detailed meaning of hector

It often implies that the person doing the hectoring is using their size, strength, or position of power to intimidate or dominate others. The term is often used to describe a person who uses aggressive or intimidating tactics to get what they want or to assert themselves over others. In literature, the name Hector is often used as the archetype of a bully, an overbearing and aggressive person who intimidates others to get his way. In modern usage, it often describes someone who is arrogant, domineering, and overbearing in their behavior, often towards people who are weaker or less assertive. Overall, the word "hector" refers to the act of bullying or intimidating someone, characterized by aggressive or blustering behavior, often used by someone who uses their size, strength, or position of power to assert themselves over others in a arrogant, domineering and overbearing way.

Example sentences containing hector

1. The coach continued to hector his team, hoping to spur them into action.
2. She did not appreciate when her colleague tried to hector her into agreeing with his ideas.
3. His boss would often hector him, making his work environment very stressful.
4. He decided to stand up to his brother who had a habit of hectoring him about his life choices.
5. The older boy would hector the younger kids in the neighborhood, asserting his dominance.
6. The politician was known to hector his opponents during debates.

History and etymology of hector

The verb 'hector' has an intriguing etymology with origins in Greek mythology. It is derived from the name of the Trojan hero Hector, a prominent figure in the ancient epic poem 'The Iliad' by Homer. Hector was known for his bravery and valor in the Trojan War. However, the modern use of 'hector' has evolved to describe behavior that is quite the opposite of heroism. It now means to bully or intimidate someone, usually through aggressive or blustering behavior. The term 'hector' invokes the image of Hector's brother Paris, who was considered less honorable and more inclined toward deceit and manipulation. Over time, the name Hector became associated with bullying or domineering behavior, leading to the contemporary use of the verb 'hector' to describe such actions.

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Further usage examples of hector

1. As a leader, she chose to inspire her team rather than hector them.
2. The sergeant would hector his troops, expecting them to follow his orders without question.
3. Her classmates would often hector her for her different interests, making her feel out of place.
4. He hated when his relatives would hector him about getting married.
5. The teacher was known to hector students who didn't perform to his expectations.
6. The celebrity had to put up with paparazzi who would hector her for pictures.
7. The coach began to hector the referee about a questionable call.
8. He would often hector his friends into going on wild adventures with him.
9. The supervisor had a tendency to hector his subordinates, creating a hostile work environment.
10. Despite being hectored by her peers, she decided to stand by her beliefs.
11. The manager hectored the staff to meet the strict deadlines.
12. She was tired of her parents hectoring her about her study habits.
13. The activist was known to hector those who opposed his views.
14. The bully hectored the new student, trying to assert his dominance.

Suffix -or, Annoyance and Irritation, Conduct and Character, Crisis and Opposition, Hegemony and Hierarchies, Emotional Turmoil and Tension, Hostility and Brutality, Hostility and Opposition

badger,browbeat,dominate,harass,heckle,menace,plague,torment,worry

threaten