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
• hector
• terrify
• pick on
• terrorize
• blackjack
• horrify
• bullyrag
• pressure
• spook
• bogart
• compel
• force
• disturb
• bluster
• menace
• unnerve
• alarm
• constrain
• demoralize
• affright
• bludgeon
• oblige
• hound
• trash-talk
• upset
• perturb
• disconcert
• distress
• push around
• press
• unman
• dragoon
• disquiet
• make
• psych (out)
• discompose

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

It’s long been intimidating for immigrants who suffered abuse to call 911, regardless of who was in the White House. — Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 14 Oct. 2026

And while cracking open an iPod will never not be intimidating, at least the Sprout doesn’t require any soldering. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 14 Oct. 2026

Among the new rackets were providing cheap workers to new industries, ruling the docks of large port cities, extorting money from trading companies, and working for political parties to intimidate rival voters. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

No president should be able to use the power of the federal government to intimidate his political enemies. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026