intimidate

verb in·tim·i·date \ in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt \

|Updated on: 16 Jul 2018

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Examples: intimidate in a Sentence

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

Yet this very mayor joined the Klan just a few years later, posing for a formal photograph with Klansmen and the chief of police — an indication of the Klan’s power to change minds, or to intimidate.

— Longreads, "Oregon’s Racist Past," 12 July 2018
After entering the apartment, one of the robbers allegedly fired a gun inside the apartment to intimidate the victim and four other family members in the residence, Herman said.

— mayra cruz, Houston Chronicle, "Police arrest suspects in alleged violent home invasion, Precinct 4 tweets," 10 July 2018
Despite having lost their appeal in the United States Court of Appeals, COD is continuing its false attacks against Dr. Breuder and COD’s claim for $25 million in damages is a baseless and transparent attempt to intimidate.

— stacy st. clair, chicagotribune.com, "College of DuPage sues former president for $25 million," 2 July 2018
To keep the girl quiet about the alleged rape, police say, Vidra tried to intimidate the girl with chilling threats.

— josh magness, kansascity, "Firefighter raped a teen, threatened to take 'all of the money' if she told, cops say," 2 July 2018
Death threats against an official or immediate family, and attempts to intimidate, interfere with, or retaliate against an official based on his or her official duties are all federal crimes.

— glenn fleishman, Fortune, "FBI Arrests Man Who Threatened to Kill FCC Chair Ajit Pai's Children," 29 June 2018
All lies, all attempts to scare, intimidate the American people.

— Fox News, "What Trump is looking for in his next Supreme Court justice," 28 June 2018
And while all the players carry scars to varying degrees, the subplots and unknowns this time -- including anonymous messages and warnings designed to intimidate Clay and his allies -- have ebbed in their allure.

— brian lowry, CNN, "'13 Reasons Why' offers fewer reasons to watch second season," 16 May 2018
In addition, the neurology specialist is alleged to have intimidated witnesses during the trial.

— christopher harress, AL.com, "Alabama pain doctor faces $14.5 million hit and 30 years in jail," 9 Feb. 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.

Origin and Etymology of intimidate

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

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First Known Use: 1646

in the meaning defined above

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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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