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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of intimidate Known for innovative recipes that are easy enough for novice bakers to pull off in their own kitchens, Ford wants people to have fun making bread, and not be intimidated by it. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2025 This fire sign is determined, daring, and brave, so throwing colorful paint at a blank canvas won't intimidate them (looking at you, Virgos!)—it may even feel freeing and liberating. Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2025 Insecurity is pervasive, hindering political and economic development and intimidating civil society. Michael Johnston, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2025 How to Build a Customer-Centric Supply Chain For smaller companies, this can all sound intimidating. Stephen Wunker, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intimidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimidate
Verb
  • McMillan is used to bullying significantly less talented and shorter corners in the college sphere.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Suicide attempt rates tripled among LGBTQ students who had been bullied in the past year.
    Rachel Ray, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Most give up halfway, frightened by the warnings of those below.
    Sudhir Gupta, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
  • While the notion might frighten fans who have Thursday nights perpetually blocked off on their calendars, shorter episodes could prove beneficial in giving the Critical Role founders a little bit of a break.
    Dana Reboe, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Some, scared off by the complexity of picking a policy and by the price tags, tumble over the edge and go without insurance in a health system where the rate for an emergency room visit can be thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars.
    Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Effectively scaring a bear also reinforces the person as dominant in an encounter, so the bear learns to avoid people.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The lawsuit alleges the grant conditions coerce local governments into adopting the Trump administration's policy agenda.
    Alison Dirr, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • But, as archaeologist Sean Winter writes, also like in the US, the reality involves a lot of people coerced into laboring for the benefit of the most powerful.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Also, when purchasing hiking gear to wear for gorilla trekking, buy only neutral colors—like army green, khaki, black, and tan — to avoid startling them and drawing extra attention to yourself.
    Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 23 July 2025
  • However, the unexpected authenticity of the situation to her Memphis roots initially startled the artist.
    Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Don’t try to browbeat your rivals into making a trade.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 29 July 2025
  • At a two-day meeting that concludes Wednesday, the Fed is widely expected to hold its key interest rate steady despite President Donald Trump’s monthslong campaign aimed at browbeating Fed Chair Jerome Powell and his colleagues into cutting rates.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 28 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Intimidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimidate. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on intimidate

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