INTIMIDATION Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

intimidation

noun

Definition of intimidation

as in fear

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 intimidation But Rybakina showed no intimidation, quickly coming through with a decisive break to clinch the victory after Gauff sent her overhead shot out of bounds, much to the shock of those there to root on the American. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026 Maryland leaders must make clear that brutality and lawless intimidation will not be tolerated. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026 That fortune, prosecutors say, was built on fraud, extortion, intimidation, and violence. — Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2026 Joshua Wasson, 25, of Jasper, pleaded guilty in Dubois Circuit Court to one Level 6 felony count of intimidation and misdemeanor charges of possessing marijuana and paraphernalia. — Casey Smith, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2026 This legislation is significant in light of recent escalations by militant West Bank settlers conducting a campaign of killing, arson and intimidation against Palestinians to expel them from their land. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Sep. 2026 But some mathematicians raise questions about cheating—and intimidation. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026 In some cases, even documentation of the state's excesses invites intimidation. — Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026 Dawn Light, 56, was arraigned on an intimidation charge Wednesday at the same courthouse in Plymouth, south of Boston. — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimidation

Noun

Experts say cartels use car bombs to intimidate rivals and authorities, pressure the government and spread fear among civilians.

— María Verza, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
At each turn, a heartbreaking picture comes into sharper focus, underscoring Ricki’s destructive appetite that exploits Rita’s deepest needs and fears under the guise of friendship and no-judgement sisterhood.

— Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of fear

Noun

This isn’t really about an existential threat coming for the status quo of professional golf anymore.

— Brody Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Still, the threats have increased for the islands of Niihau and Kauai because the storm's forecast track has shifted steadily eastward, the National Hurricane Center said.

— Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of threat

Noun

Opponents have branded the bill unsafe and unworkable, citing concerns around potential coercion of vulnerable people and a lack of safeguards for those with disabilities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026
Lawmakers, medical colleges and religious leaders raised concerns over coercion, disability rights and uncertain prognoses, while supporters warned the defeat leaves dying patients traveling abroad for assistance under the current law.

— Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of coercion

Noun

His signature gifts — menace at a whisper, deadpan absurdity, theatrical precision, and the knack for making even the strangest line land like an anvil.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026
But Wild Horse Nine has been built around the queasy charisma of the great John Malkovich, who has made a career out of blending fragility and menace, even in his smallest parts.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of menace

Noun

But times have changed since the days when Wasim and Waqar Younis struck terror into the hearts of opposition lineups with the ferocity of their bowling, or Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq made hay with the bat.

— James Wallace, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
State standards for high school world history classes also suggest discussing 9/11 and the war on terror.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of terror

Noun

One of its major objectives was to provoke Western states into attacking their own democracies, in a kind of auto-immune response to terrorism, in which the effort to defend the political body corroded it from within.

— Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
Twenty-five years ago, our nation and this city experienced the deadliest act of terrorism in world history.

— Hydrick Thomas, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of terrorism

Browse Nearby Words

intimidating

intimidation

intimidations

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Intimidation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimidation. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of intimidation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

churlish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes