Synonym Chooser

How is the word intimidate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of intimidate are browbeat, bulldoze, bully, and cow. While all these words mean "to frighten into submission," intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

When is browbeat a more appropriate choice than intimidate?

The meanings of browbeat and intimidate largely overlap; however, browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

When would bulldoze be a good substitute for intimidate?

The words bulldoze and intimidate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

When is it sensible to use bully instead of intimidate?

The synonyms bully and intimidate are sometimes interchangeable, but bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

Where would cow be a reasonable alternative to intimidate?

While in some cases nearly identical to intimidate, cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost.

not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of intimidate The Administration’s political calculus seems aimed at punishing and intimidating Democrats who challenge the President’s agenda. Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 18 June 2025 And postproduction comes with its own set of terminology that can be intimidating for an outsider. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 June 2025 Those already intimidated by the difficulty are likely to be further put off by the experts’ gatekeeping. Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025 When Chinese critics of the government speak out, they are regularly harassed and intimidated — even in our country, where Chinese dissidents have been threatened by agents of their government. Jovante Teague, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for intimidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimidate
Verb
  • For years, Griffin never talked about being bullied as a child.
    Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
  • Well, in Alva’s case, in the months after her very public divorce, the New York Times society column straight up bullied her by writing stories about all the super fun parties and balls her sister-in-law Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt threw while Alva was in exile.
    Alexis Nedd, IndieWire, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • The woman inside banged pots and pans and screamed at the bear to try to frighten it away, officials said.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
  • Winston Churchill said the U-boat peril was the only thing that really frightened him during World War II.
    Carl Burdette, Baltimore Sun, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • The camper attempted to scare off the bear by banging pots and pans and screaming at the bear.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • The chemistry is real, but Nic scares me for Olandria.
    Julia Moore, People.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • One of the former detectives Dillard accused of helping harass and coerce a witness into testifying was among the Wolverines.
    Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 3 July 2025
  • In the end, the evidence came down to how coerced the female victims were.
    Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz , Maria Paronich , Brendan McDonald, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Your trash schedule might not be top of mind this Independence Day between going to fireworks displays, making a last-minute run to the grocery store or getting startled by loud booms.
    Eleanor Nash July 3, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2025
  • According to a crash report, a cicada flew into the driver's window, startling the driver.
    Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • White Sox fans are still browbeaten by last year’s record-setting number of losses, and even though this year’s Rockies are well on pace to beat Chicago’s 41-121 mark from 2024, things still feel pretty bleak on the south side.
    Jared Wyllys, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • In recent months, senior State Department officials in both Washington and Gambia have coordinated with Starlink executives to coax, lobby and browbeat at least seven Gambian government ministers to help Musk, records and interviews show.
    Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Intimidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimidate. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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