bully

intimidate, cow, bulldoze, bully, browbeat mean to frighten into submission. intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

• • intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

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

bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

• • bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

• • bullied into giving up their lunch money

browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

• • browbeat the witness into a contradiction