Hector

[hek-ter]

noun

1. Classical Mythology.,  the eldest son of Priam and husband of Andromache: the greatest Trojan hero in the Trojan War, killed by Achilles.

2. (lowercase),  a blustering, domineering person; a bully.

3. a male given name.

verb (used with object)

1. (lowercase),  to treat with insolence; bully; torment.

   The teacher hectored his students incessantly.

   Synonyms: harass, badger, persecute, torture

verb (used without object)

1. (lowercase),  to act in a blustering, domineering way; be a bully.

hector

¹

/ ˈhɛktə /

verb

1. to bully or torment

noun

1. a blustering bully

Hector

²

/ ˈhɛktə /

noun

1. classical myth a son of King Priam of Troy, who was killed by Achilles

Hector

1. In classical mythology, a prince of Troy and the bravest of the Trojan warriors. At the end of the Trojan War (see also Trojan War), Achilles killed Hector and then dragged his body behind a chariot around the walls of Troy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hector¹

< Latin < Greek Héktōr, special use of adj. héktōr holding fast

Word History and Origins

Origin of hector¹

C17: after _Hector (the son of Priam), in the sense: a bully

Example Sentences

Some scenes are so natural as to seem improvised; others employ heavy tactics — an assaultive sound design, flash cuts — to evoke the pressure Amanda is under, from both the self-satisfied authorities and a hectoring press.

From Los Angeles Times

It won’t surprise you to learn that Hailey prefers to call her kids “soldiers” and hectors them to obey her rules from 4:30 a.m. until bedtime.

From Los Angeles Times

More effective than a hectoring thread on social media is making something new, something funny.

From Los Angeles Times

We transparently did not do enough, and that goes a long way back; it wasn’t about holding more white-dude Zooms for Kamala or hectoring your neighbors about inflation not being real.

From Salon

Like many of Harris’ media appearances, those events assured the former president steered well away from hectoring hosts and their inconvenient fact-checking.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• browbeat 
• irritate 
• nag