intimidate

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

Synonyms

• blackjack
• bogart
• browbeat
• bulldoze
• bully
• bullyrag
• cow
• hector
• strong-arm

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

When Chinese critics of the government speak out, they are regularly harassed and intimidated — even in our country, where Chinese dissidents have been threatened by agents of their government. —Jovante Teague, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2025

An escalation in political violence The shootings come as political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated amid deep political divisions. —Obed Lamy, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025

Bilateral meetings with the American president can be fraught as Trump has used them to try to intimidate the leaders of Ukraine and South Africa. —Rob Gillies, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025

In the video the department captured, Martinez couldn't help but notice how intimidating the animal looked. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 14 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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