put the screws to

Jump To:

ask v.
bleed v.
convict v.
cross-examine v.
grill v.
interrogate v.
push v.

VERB

ask

Synonyms

STRONGEST

challenge demand inquire quiz request

STRONG

buzz canvass catechize direct enjoin examine grill hit institute interrogate investigate needle pump query roast sweat

WEAK

cross-examine give the third degree go over hunt for pick one's brains pop the question pry into put through the wringer

Antonyms

STRONGEST

answer reply

STRONG

ignore

WEAK

claim command disinvite insist repudiate tell

VERB

bleed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

drain squeeze stick

STRONG

blackmail confiscate deplete exhaust extract fleece impoverish leech milk mulct overcharge pauperize rook sap skin steal strong-arm

Antonyms

STRONG

add give increase offer put in

VERB

convict

Synonyms

STRONGEST

condemn imprison sentence

STRONG

adjudge attaint doom frame rap

WEAK

bring to justice declare guilty pass sentence on pronounce guilty put away send up send up the river throw the book at

Antonyms

STRONGEST

free release

WEAK

exonerate liberate

VERB

cross-examine

Synonyms

WEAK

ask pointed questions catechize check cross-question debrief examine give the third degree go over with a fine-tooth comb grill inquire interrogate investigate pump put on the hotseat question quiz scrutinize sweat

VERB

grill

Synonyms

STRONGEST

interrogate roast

STRONG

catechize inquisition interview question

WEAK

cross-examine give the third degree go over put the pressure on third degree

Antonyms

STRONG

answer

VERB

interrogate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

examine grill investigate query quiz

STRONG

catechize inquire pump question roast

WEAK

cross-examine cross-question give the third degree go over put through the wringer sweat out work over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

answer reply

VERB

push

Synonyms

STRONGEST

encourage press pressure speed spur

STRONG

browbeat bulldoze coerce constrain dragoon expedite goad goose hurry impel influence inspire jolly kid motivate oblige persuade prod railroad squeeze steamroll strong-arm

WEAK

bear down egg on exert influence fire up go to town on key up lean on overpress pour it on push around put up to sell on speed up turn on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

discourage dissuade leave alone

STRONG

delay hinder repress slow stop suppress

WEAK

conceal hide pull

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.

See Examples For:

put the screws to

And President Xi Jinping has put the screws to tech firms in the past.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 17, 2023

Nasa put the screws to me and said 'You gotta apologise'.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 8, 2014

“They put the screws to Sobchak for four years,” he said, “and then hounded the poor guy all over Europe.”

From New York Times ● Jul. 3, 2012

Here’s a summary of how I see the deal now: - I agree with John Gruber that I think it’s most likely that Motorola put the screws to Google to make this deal happen.

From Forbes ● Aug. 17, 2011

Smith wasn’t ready to put the screws to him just yet.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

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put the screws to

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