intimidate

1 of 2

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

intimidation

2 of 2

noun

in·​tim·​i·​da·​tion ə̇n‧ˌtiməˈdāshən 

plural -s

: the act of intimidating or the state of being intimidated

the voters were kept from the polls by intimidation

cringed to see the woman's intimidation before her husband's cruelty

Synonyms of intimidate

Verb

• bully
• frighten
• scare
• coerce
• startle
• browbeat

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

Verb

He tries to intimidate his opponents.

You shouldn't allow his reputation to intimidate you.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

They are expected to be confident but not intimidating, ambitious but not self-promotional, collaborative but not passive, assertive but not aggressive. —Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Schumer declined to address the divisions in his caucus over Platner amid allegations of unsettling and intimidating behavior by past girlfriends. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 12 June 2026

The May 12, 2022 attack damaged the construction firm’s property and was aimed at intimidating its employees, the DOJ said. —Andre Butso, AJC.com, 12 June 2026

The wearable heel height delivers a sophisticated lift without feeling intimidating, while the brand's signature cushioning helps keep feet comfortable for hours. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

French, from Middle French, from intimider (from Medieval Latin intimidare to intimidate) + -ation

First Known Use

Verb

1646, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for intimidate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

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