henpeck

A wife constantly henpecks her husband about household chores.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To dominate or nag persistently: "henpeck" means to continually criticize, annoy, or control someone, especially a husband, in a domineering or petty way.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • She tends to henpeck her husband about his spending habits. (She persistently nags and controls him regarding money.)
  • The character in the play constantly henpecks her spouse, leaving him no peace. (She dominates and criticizes him relentlessly.)

Advanced Usage

• "to henpeck someone": to subject someone to constant petty criticism or control, typically in a marital context.
  • He felt henpecked by his wife's endless demands about household chores. (He felt dominated and nagged.)

Variants and Related Words

• Henpecked (adj): dominated or nagged by one's spouse, especially a husband.

  • The henpecked husband quietly agreed to all his wife's requests. (The husband was controlled and nagged by his wife.)

• Henpecking (n/adj): the act or habit of nagging or dominating.

  • Her constant henpecking exhausted him. (Her persistent nagging wore him out.)

Synonyms

• Nag: to annoy someone by constant fault-finding or urging.
• Domineer: to assert one's will over another in an arrogant way.
• Bully: to intimidate or control someone.

Related Idioms

• Wear the pants: to be the dominant partner in a relationship.

  • In their marriage, she clearly wears the pants and henpecks him. (She is the dominant one.)

• Rule the roost: to be in charge or control.

  • She rules the roost at home and often henpecks her husband. (She controls the household.)