intimidate

verb
in·​tim·​i·​date | \ in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt How to pronounce intimidate (audio) \
intimidated; intimidating

Definition of intimidate

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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Other Words from intimidate

intimidation \ in-​ˌti-​mə-​ˈdā-​shən How to pronounce intimidation (audio) \ noun
intimidator \ in-​ˈti-​mə-​ˌdā-​tər How to pronounce intimidator (audio) \ noun

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 In the summer, Lopez reported two other attacks to his ward office and one to his home, each time saying that gang members in the area intended to intimidate him for his work to dismantle them. Laura Rodríguez Presa, chicagotribune.com, "Alderman’s ward office vandalized for 3rd time this year, 3 caught on video throwing bricks through window," 20 Nov. 2020 Choy’s case further unnerved RTHK journalists, who fear the law could be used arbitrarily to intimidate them, as with arrests of protesters. Washington Post, "With protests muzzled, Hong Kong takes aim at the press," 14 Nov. 2020 The complaint accuses a Fox News human resources executive of calling her and attempting to intimidate her for publicly supporting Eckhart. Maria Puente, USA TODAY, "Ed Henry rape accuser adds more claims about when Fox News learned of his alleged misconduct," 10 Nov. 2020 Its goals range from providing water and masks to voters to stepping in between voters and armed groups that seek to intimidate them. Ben Sales, sun-sentinel.com, "Volunteering to aid voters in Philadelphia, rabbis encounter the unexpected: Peace and optimism," 4 Nov. 2020 Don't let anyone intimidate you -- get out there and vote. Emmet Lyons, CNN, "Will.i.am hopes 'LOVE' will drive voters to the polls," 28 Oct. 2020 Police said Bozier, of Sudbury, threatened to kill the woman and her child as a way to intimidate her from reporting what allegedly happened to authorities. Fox News, "Massachusetts man charged with kidnapping, assaulting woman he met on Tinder," 24 Oct. 2020 No photographing or recording anything that would violate voters' privacy or intimidate them. Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, "Trump told supporters to watch the polls. What does a poll observer actually do?," 13 Oct. 2020 After all, what’s brave about doing what doesn’t intimidate us? Your Fat Friend, SELF, "Please Don’t Call Fat People ‘Brave’ Just for Existing," 12 Oct. 2020

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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First Known Use of intimidate

1646, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for intimidate

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

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Time Traveler for intimidate

Time Traveler

The first known use of intimidate was in 1646

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Statistics for intimidate

Last Updated

6 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Intimidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intimidate. Accessed 12 Dec. 2020.

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More Definitions for intimidate

intimidate

verb
How to pronounce intimidate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of intimidate

: to make (someone) afraid

intimidate

verb
in·​tim·​i·​date | \ in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt How to pronounce intimidate (audio) \
intimidated; intimidating

Kids Definition of intimidate

: to frighten especially by threats

intimidate

transitive verb
in·​tim·​i·​date | \ in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt How to pronounce intimidate (audio) \
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)

Other Words from intimidate

intimidatingly adverb
intimidation \ in-​ˌti-​mə-​ˈdā-​shən How to pronounce intimidation (audio) \ noun
intimidator \ in-​ˈti-​mə-​ˌdā-​tər How to pronounce intimidator (audio) \ noun

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Comments on intimidate

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