intimidate

verb in·tim·i·date \ in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt \

Updated on: 21 May 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

Her beauty routine, on the other hand, is less intimidating — in the best way possible.

— refinery29.com, "This "It Girl" Just Got A MAC Collab — & We Already Want Every Color," 16 May 2018
Pennington didn’t appear intimidated at the start of the contest, but an early leg kick sent her toppling to the floor.

— john morgan, USA TODAY, "Amanda Nunes dominates Raquel Pennington in defending bantamweight title at UFC 224," 13 May 2018
Cosby intimidated, terrified and terrorized Ms. McKee with pain and overwhelming physical force.

— patricia montemurri, Detroit Free Press, "Bill Cosby accuser from Detroit takes defamation suit to Supreme Court," 4 May 2018
Yet even with some of the barriers to entry removed by the Kanopy partnership, facing a catalog as vast as Wiseman’s can still be intimidating.

— alissa wilkinson, Vox, "5 movies that explain why documentarian Frederick Wiseman is a living legend," 3 May 2018
The result was accessible yet intimidating, a lo-fi, deeply felt distillation of the era.

— phoebe reilly, Billboard, "Liz Phair Reflects on 25-Year Anniversary of 'Exile in Guyville' and Being 'Ferociously Protective of Women Right Now'," 20 Apr. 2018
The panoramic view from the top may be intimidating, but once the flight begins, the fear disappears.

— susan dunne, courant.com, "Foxwoods Opens 60-MPH Zip Line From Top Of Fox Tower," 13 Apr. 2018
Most people are stronger with horizontal pulling motions because the movement is inherently easier and vertical pulling motions like push-ups and chin-ups are intimidating to most people, explains DiSalvo.

— jenny mccoy, SELF, "Why Doing Pulling Exercises Like Josephine Skriver Is Important for Building Total-Body Strength," 10 Apr. 2018
Hand-washing need not be intimidating—just keep it simple and quick.

— jolie kerr, Town & Country, "How to Keep Your Lilly Pulitzer Clothes Looking Great All Summer Long," 16 June 2017

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

in the meaning defined above

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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