INTIMIDATINGLY Synonyms: 288 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

intimidate 1 of 3

verb (1)

in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt

Definition of intimidate

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

intimidating

2 of 3

adjective

in-ˈti-mə-ˌdā-tiŋ

as in terrifying

causing fear the school's seniors faced the intimidating prospect of the college entrance exams

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in gruff

harsh and threatening in manner or appearance an intimidating bodyguard keeping the fans away from the pop star

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

intimidating

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of intimidate

as in bullying

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Verb

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

Adjective

An alarmed individual may coil its body and open its mouth in an attempt to appear more intimidating. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026 The company blends the visual identity of the larger XSR family with modern entry-level components, shrinking the basic ingredients into a package that's easier to ride, cheaper to run, and far less intimidating. — New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Others have more broad statutes prohibiting any kind of intimidating behavior. — Danielle Friedman, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026 That would be in 51,521-seat Rice-Eccles Stadium, which stands an intimidating 4,637 feet above sea level in scenic Salt Lake City. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intimidate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimidate

Verb

James McAvoy recalls his first day on the set of Band of Brothers and says a co-star bullied him.

— Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Musk’s forthright, crusty dad Errol sounds almost proud that something was bullied out of his son, but the movie avoids filling out that traumatic childhood.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of bully

Verb

Douglas admitted that his father’s behavior left him and brother Joel frightened.

— Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
At the very start of the pandemic, while most Americans were hunkered down, frightened for their lives and worried about job loss, RealPage hosted a virtual pep talk for landlords.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of frighten

Verb

Dozens of other Halloween 2026 events in Metro Detroit are listed in the CBS News Detroit treats and scares roundup.

— Jack Springgate, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
In addition to scaring the bejesus out of Hamlet and demanding blood, the ghost informs the audience exactly how the murder occurred.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of scare

Verb

On July 23, 1973, tragedy rippled through the Mexican American community when 12-year-old Santos Rodriguez was shot and killed by a Dallas police officer who tried to coerce him into confessing to a burglary by playing Russian roulette.

— Alexis Guerrero, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Doe alleges in her lawsuit that she was coerced into using drugs before the assault.

— Rebecca Schneid, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of coerce

Verb

The parents admit to some corporal punishment, but of a mild sort—the kind that might startle a child but which wouldn’t do bodily harm.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026
However, startled by the activation of the security system, the suspect fled the scene without stealing any loot.

— Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of startle

Verb

The son and a guardian claims that Mary Max had depleted his finances and browbeat him.

— BETH J. HARPAZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
Repent and repair Rather than browbeating people into repentance, the Ne’ilah service’s strategy is to boost them up into it, playing upon the biblical idea of the grandeur of humanity.

— Reuven Kimelman, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of browbeat

Browse Nearby Words

in time

intimidate

intimidated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Intimidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimidate. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of intimidate

verb (1)

adjective

verb (2)

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

bon vivant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes