Synonyms of intimidate

intimidate

verb

in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt 

as in to bully

to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats

refusing to be intimidated by the manager's harsh stare, I demanded my money back

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bully
• frighten
• scare
• coerce
• startle
• browbeat
• strong-arm
• harass
• threaten
• bulldoze
• cow
• shock
• badger
• terrify
• pick on
• terrorize
• hector
• horrify
• bullyrag
• pressure
• spook
• bogart
• compel
• force
• blackjack
• disturb
• bluster
• menace
• unnerve
• alarm
• constrain
• demoralize
• affright
• bludgeon
• oblige
• hound
• trash-talk
• upset
• perturb
• disconcert
• distress
• push around
• press
• dragoon
• make
• disquiet
• alarum
• psych (out)
• discompose
• unman

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassure
• soothe
• cheer
• encourage
• comfort
• console
• steel
• persuade
• convince
• embolden
• solace
• hearten

Synonym Chooser

How is the word intimidate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of intimidate are browbeat, bulldoze, bully, and cow. While all these words mean "to frighten into submission," intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

When is browbeat a more appropriate choice than intimidate?

The meanings of browbeat and intimidate largely overlap; however, browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

When would bulldoze be a good substitute for intimidate?

The words bulldoze and intimidate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

When is it sensible to use bully instead of intimidate?

The synonyms bully and intimidate are sometimes interchangeable, but bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

Where would cow be a reasonable alternative to intimidate?

While in some cases nearly identical to intimidate, 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of intimidate

Estonian officials believe that Putin expected to conquer Ukraine quickly and then, from a position of daunting strength, press those demands upon Western leaders unprepared for conventional war and perhaps intimidated by Russia’s nuclear saber-rattling. —Joel Gehrke, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025

Despite their intimidating monikers—one was called Eat Rocks and Bleed—the experience was far more exhilarating than harrowing. —David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2025

Keitel begins the scene with an intimidating growl and ends it in rueful melancholy. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025

Swatting is the criminal practice of calling law enforcement, particularly Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, to someone's house in order to harass or intimidate them. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025