intimidate

verb in·tim·i·date \ in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

Definition of intimidate

intimidated; intimidating

transitive verb

: to make timid or fearful : frighten; especially : to compel or deter by or as if by threats

tried to intimidate a witness

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intimidation

play \in-ˌti-mə-ˈdā-shən\ noun

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intimidator

play \in-ˈti-mə-ˌdā-tər\ noun

See intimidate defined for English-language learners

See intimidate defined for kids

Examples of intimidate in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of intimidate from the Web

As a Type A perfectionist, I was mesmerized and intimidated.

— alyson stoner, Teen Vogue, "7 Young Couples Explain What It Feels Like to Be in Love," 30 Mar. 2018
Ronnie Lott and Kenny Easley can’t intimidate receivers with bone-crushing hits across the middle.

— dave hyde, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Hyde5: Why Dolphins' model is so wrong they need Derwin James," 29 Mar. 2018
To critics, all these theories are no more than window dressing for a racist system that intimidates, imprisons and kills black people indiscriminately in order to make white people feel safe.

— molly ball, Time, "Jeff Sessions Is Winning for Donald Trump. If Only He Can Keep His Job," 29 Mar. 2018
The Pinkertons survived, and entered the 21st century intact largely on the strength of their ability to intimidate, surveil, and gather intelligence about workers.

— sarah jones, The New Republic, "The Pinkertons Still Never Sleep," 23 Mar. 2018
As for what to put in the stuff, the sheer freedom can be intimidating.

— jacqueline detwiler, Popular Mechanics, "Learn to Make Amaro and Fashion Your Own Take on Fernet-Branca," 22 Mar. 2018
Applying a smoky eye doesn't have to be intimidating.

— cosmo online, Cosmopolitan, "A Beauty Director's Tips for an Ultra-Glam Look," 21 Feb. 2018
Toward the end of 2017, a dam of silence broke and women and men began coming forward in unprecedented numbers, giving voice to how they were assaulted, harassed, intimidated, silenced, and otherwise demeaned by powerful creative men.

— roxane gay, Marie Claire, "Can I Enjoy the Art but Denounce the Artist?," 6 Feb. 2018
Cyclist and author Kelton Wright has the skinny on staying safe on two wheels Cycling in Los Angeles can be intimidating.

— gwynedd stuart, Los Angeles Magazine, "3 Cycling Tips From the Woman Who Wrote the Book on Riding a Bike in L.A.," 1 Feb. 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.

Origin and Etymology of intimidate

Medieval Latin intimidatus, past participle of intimidare, from Latin in- + timidus timid

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1646

See Words from the same year

intimidate Synonyms

Phrases

pick on;

Synonym Discussion of 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

INTIMIDATE Defined for English Language Learners

intimidate

verb

Definition of intimidate for English Language Learners

: to make (someone) afraid

INTIMIDATE Defined for Kids

intimidate

verb in·tim·i·date \ in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt \

Definition of intimidate for Students

intimidated; intimidating

: to frighten especially by threats

Law Dictionary

intimidate

transitive verb in·tim·i·date \ in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt \

legal Definition of intimidate

intimidated; intimidating

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)

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