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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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

Back then like now, I was intimidated by the starts. — Marc Myers, WSJ, "Getting Run Over Couldn’t Stop Jimmie Johnson’s Rise to Nascar Champion," 14 Nov. 2018 Khan’s PTI party is reportedly backed by the country’s powerful military, which has been accused of intimidating candidates from the competing party and censoring major news outlets. — Madeleine Ngo, Vox, "“This is clear rigging”: candidates dispute Pakistan’s election as Imran Khan claims victory," 26 July 2018 But hey, when you’re not intimidated by the SCOBY, one more is no big deal. — Allison Young, Good Housekeeping, "How to Make Your Own Homemade Kombucha," 19 July 2018 The men asked the judge to prohibit ICE from using that evidence, arguing they were intimidated and coercively interrogated because of their ethnicity. — Kavitha Surana, Philly.com, "How immigration officers can get away with racial profiling," 8 June 2018 They are not intimidated playing in the Predators’ lair. — Kevin Allen, USA TODAY, "NHL playoffs: What to watch for in Predators-Jets Game 7," 9 May 2018 Protesters said they weren’t intimidated by the use of force. — Jake Rudnitsky, Bloomberg.com, "Russia Detains Navalny, Hundreds at ‘Tsar’ Inauguration Protests," 5 May 2018 Their rare gifts on the hardwood sparked outlandish promises even as their intimidating bald heads and black game socks took off in popularity. — Carl Martin, Detroit Free Press, "Fab Five scandal doesn't tell full story of Ed Martin: 'He helped everybody'," 30 Apr. 2018 Trump Administration is trying to rig the 2020 Census (to protect gerrymandering) by intimidating people. — Leada Gore, AL.com, "2020 Census will include citizenship question," 27 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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Statistics for intimidate

Last Updated

3 Dec 2018

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)