intimidate

verb

in·tim·i·date | \ in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt

intimidated; intimidating

Definition of intimidate

: to make timid or fearful : frighten especially : to compel or deter by or as if by threats tried to intimidate a witness

Other Words from intimidate Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about intimidate

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Other Words from intimidate

intimidation \ in-ˌti-mə-ˈdā-shən

\ noun

intimidator \ in-ˈti-mə-ˌdā-tər

\ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for intimidate

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

Examples of intimidate in a Sentence

He tries to intimidate his opponents. You shouldn't allow his reputation to intimidate you.

Recent Examples on the Web

Buy Photo Growing up in a household where everybody did everything themselves, Emily Goble Smith was not intimidated by the idea of designing her own house. — Laura Beitman Hoover, Philly.com, "Perkasie couple frames new house around an old barn," 29 May 2018 Thompson turned his back and walked down the court, not intimidated by the contact. — Dan Woike, latimes.com, "Warriors force Game 7 after Klay Thompson shines in 115-86 victory over Rockets," 27 May 2018 After all, who would feel intimidated by someone with a badge, a gun, pepper spray, handcuffs, and the full weight and authority of the law? — Michael Harriot, The Root, "Kansas Finally Bans Cops From Forcing Suspects to Have Sex Because ... Yes, a Cop Reportedly Raped Black Women for Years," 15 May 2018 The company also provides services to another group of people that might otherwise be intimidated by solar energy: those that want to own the solar panels themselves, but need help with the logistics of making that happen. — Jessica Levy, azcentral, "Sunrun simplifies solar energy for residential users," 14 May 2018 Initially intimidated by the premise of The Challenge, the charity aspect is what drew Hennessy to compete. — Abby Jones, Billboard, "Hennessy Carolina Talks Getting Physical for a Good Cause on MTV's 'The Challenge: Champs Vs. Stars': 'I Did It for The Bronx'," 17 Apr. 2018 In an attempt to intimidate Civil Rights activists, Alabama subpoenaed the NAACP’s membership list, which the organization declined to do. — Diana Budds, Curbed, "Facial recognition is becoming one of the 21st century’s biggest public space issues," 19 Oct. 2018 You guys are intimidated by Pop and probably scared of him. — Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, "Difficult year has helped Spurs gain perspective," 20 Apr. 2018 Yet the coyote didn’t attack the fox to scare it off, and the fox didn’t appear intimidated enough by the coyote’s presence to leave. — Lorraine Boissoneault, Smithsonian, "Foxes and Coyotes are Natural Enemies. Or Are They?," 9 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intimidate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near intimidate

Statistics for intimidate

Last Updated

7 May 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for intimidate

The first known use of intimidate was in 1646

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More Definitions for intimidate

intimidate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of intimidate

: to make (someone) afraid

See the full definition for intimidate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

intimidate

verb

in·tim·i·date | \ in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt

intimidated; intimidating

Kids Definition of intimidate

: to frighten especially by threats

intimidate

transitive verb

in·tim·i·date | \ in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt

intimidated; intimidating

Legal Definition of intimidate

1 : to make timid or fearful especially : to compel or deter by or as if by threats — see also coercion

2 : to engage in the crime of intimidating (as a witness, juror, public officer in the performance of his or her duty, or victim of a robbery or other crime)

Other Words from intimidate

intimidatingly adverb

intimidation \ in-ˌti-mə-ˈdā-shən

\ noun

intimidator \ in-ˈti-mə-ˌdā-tər

\ noun

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