intimidate

verb

in·​tim·​i·​date in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt 

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

intimidation

in-ˌti-mə-ˈdā-shən 

noun

intimidator

in-ˈti-mə-ˌdā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• blackjack
• bogart
• browbeat
• bulldoze
• bully
• bullyrag
• cow
• hector
• strong-arm

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

Digging into every single one of the many Cyber Monday deals alone can be intimidating, considering pretty much everyone is running some sort of special. —Jake Smith, Glamour, 27 Nov. 2023

How To Make Caramel-Frosted Pound Cake Making caramel from scratch may be intimidating, but using a thermometer will ensure consistent results every time. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2023

Cycling Around the Globe The cycling world can be intimidating. —Tammy Lagorce, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2023

The butler’s condescension instantly intimidates Oliver, who evinces no familiarity whatsoever with the ways of high society. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 Nov. 2023

The antagonist may be intimidated by a colleague, jealous of their success and wish to cut them down to size. —Jack Kelly, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023

Willis says Floyd has been trying to intimidate and communicate with witnesses and others defendants, in violation of the conditions of his bond agreement. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 17 Nov. 2023

Members of the public are being mobbed and intimidated. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Nov. 2023

This ghost of slavery that has been invoked has the effect of intimidating those who, from convictions of duty, are seeking to emancipate the enslaved race in this state. —Anna Deavere Smith, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

intimidate

verb

in·​tim·​i·​date in-ˈtim-ə-ˌdāt 

intimidated; intimidating

: to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats

intimidation

-ˌtim-ə-ˈdā-shən 

noun

intimidator

-ˈtim-ə-ˌdāt-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

intimidate

transitive verb

in·​tim·​i·​date in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt 

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)

intimidatingly adverb

intimidation

in-ˌti-mə-ˈdā-shən 

noun

intimidator

in-ˈti-mə-ˌdā-tər 

noun