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

Keep scrolling for more

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

Don't be intimidated by how much of Big Brother there will be for your eyeballs to consume. — Demetrio Teniente, Houston Chronicle, "Peek inside the Big Brother House for season 20," 25 June 2018 In a rousing speech before training at England's Repino base, Southgate urged his players not to be intimidated by the prospect of playing at the World Cup. — SI.com, "Ashley Young Set for Starting Berth as Gareth Southgate Finalises England XI to Face Tunisia," 15 June 2018 Beginners need not be intimidated either, as routes range from single pitch clip-ups to multi-pitch traditional routes and there are many easier beginner options among the many canyon walls and mountain passes. — Brian Sodoma, azcentral, "Tucson offers something for every lover of the outdoors," 31 May 2018 Rondo has made a point of pushing Green as much as possible to tempt him into losing his temper and also send a message to his teammates that they won't be intimidated by the defending champs. — William Guillory, NOLA.com, "Rajon Rondo turns back the clock with throwback performance in Game 3 win," 5 May 2018 Yoga Don’t be intimidated by those photographs of ridiculously fit people in pretzel-like poses; several kinds – from basic Hatha to restorative and gentle yoga – are accessible to us mere mortals. — Beth Wood, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Yoga and meditation tips for caregivers," 25 Apr. 2018 All the while, the 65-year-old head coach continued to hammer into his players' brains that no one is going to be intimidated by U-M's shiny new Big Ten Tournament trophy. — Nick Baumgardner, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan basketball ready for NCAA tournament after week of work," 10 Mar. 2018 Try not to be intimidated by the obscure cocktail ingredients, like black sudachi (a type of lime) or Berto (an Italian vermouth). — Sarah Fritsche, SFChronicle.com, "Best new restaurants and bars to visit in the Mission right now," 17 June 2018 But now many of the same students are calling for Ortega to step down, angry at the violence inflicted on protesters by police and bands of Sandinista Youth that attack demonstrations in an effort to intimidate and break them up. — Washington Post, "AP PHOTOS: University becomes refuge in Nicaragua unrest," 5 July 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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about intimidate

Dictionary Entries near intimidate

Statistics for intimidate

Last Updated

22 Oct 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for intimidate

The first known use of intimidate was in 1646

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

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)