led by the nose

ADJECTIVE

downtrodden

Synonyms

STRONGEST

destitute distressed exploited needy oppressed persecuted

WEAK

a slave to abject at one's beck and call at one's feet at one's mercy have-not helpless in one's clutches in one's pocket in one's power maltreated mistreated overcome subjugated subservient suppressed tyrannized under one's thumb underdog underfoot

Antonyms

STRONGEST

rich wealthy

WEAK

happy respected satisfied

ADJECTIVE

henpecked

Synonyms

WEAK

acquiescent browbeaten compliant constrained docile dominated in fear of one's wife intimidated meek nagged obedient passive resigned subjected to nagging submissive timid unassertive under one's thumb unresisting wife-ridden yielding

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

led by the nose

“You’re just being led by the nose, or the ears. The skill is not to interfere with it too much.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 11, 2025

The defence relied upon proving the group had been led by the nose by officials.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2023

As higher order animals, we are often led by the nose beyond our understanding.

From Salon ● Apr. 30, 2022

The audience is led by the nose, groping blind.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 29, 2011

If ever women were led by the nose by the demon of fashion it was at this time.

From English Costume by Calthrop, Dion Clayton