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 More problematic is the long history of alleged involvement of deputy gangs in violence, intimidation and other potentially criminal behavior. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026 Democrats fear interference and voter intimidation as his Justice Department threatens to prosecute local election officials. — Jill Colvin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026 While wiretapping lower-profile targets could potentially be used for intimidation or to gain political leverage, the same explanation would be difficult to apply in this case, Rukminto said. — ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026 There will also be hints and rumors of poll-site interference or intimidation. — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026 Students’ tactics included threatening grade appeals, malicious complaints, negative online reviews, emotional manipulation and intimidation. — Jason Walker, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026 Violence, threats of violence or intimidation should be reported immediately to police by calling 911, then to the Justice Department. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026 No Jewish child or family should have to endure this kind of fear and intimidation. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 3 Nov. 2026 Democrats will concentrate on voter intimidation and other hurdles to voting, Angelo Fernández Hernández, a Democratic National Committee spokesperson, said. — Jen Fifield, ProPublica, 2 Nov. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimidation

Noun

Given the global deployment of US troops and the frequency of its use of force, the fear was that the ICC would make US officials and soldiers vulnerable, and would reduce its freedom of military action.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 8 Nov. 2026
Unreleased | Getty Images A spate of bomb threats against passenger flights has forced diversions, emergency landings and military escorts across European airspace this week, stoking fear among passengers and heaping pressure on airlines.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of fear

Noun

Officers responded to the museum on Oakwood Boulevard on Saturday evening after learning of the possible threat.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Federal district judges, even at the risk of physical threats, played a key role by throttling unconstitutional White House efforts to seize state voting records, curtail mail-in voting and manipulate the count in Alaska.

— James D. Zirin, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of threat

Noun

Tamaulipas Public Security Secretary Carlos Arturo Pancardo attributed the shooting to the violence that erupted during the operation and said the officers under investigation remained on active duty.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2026
It’s been thirty years since the Emancipation Proclamation, but the Clarkes are still holding their own in a world where Tallulah’s bid to buy out her profligate landlord (Nathan Quay Thomas) results in violence and an untenable hike in the rent.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of violence

Noun

These countries should build a formal economic security alliance that establishes collective defense against economic coercion.

— THEODORE BUNZEL, Foreign Affairs, 2 Nov. 2026
These policies raise serious questions about religious coercion, gender equality and freedom of conscience.

— Asma Uddin, The Conversation, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of coercion

Noun

Three broadcasters also received security threats, in a possible sign the menace was spreading beyond the skies.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
The indignities keep piling up as Patrick continues to convey both almost-genuine concern and menace simultaneously.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of menace

Noun

Freedom, and the chance to briefly escape the grind of a stay-at-home mom with three little terrors.

— Kevin Fanady, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
In 2001, he was fired from MTV UK after turning up to work dressed as Osama bin Laden two days after the September 11 terror attacks.

— Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of terror

Noun

The aim was to search for ties to terrorism; the government ended up funnelling thousands of Muslims into deportation proceedings on mostly minor visa infractions.

— Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026
Milne was charged with making a threat or offering false information in reference to an act of terrorism.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrorism

Noun

France braces for a nationwide general strike French authorities were braced for a nationwide general strike over public services and cost-of-living concerns, demonstrations that showcase growing pressure on Europe’s social-welfare model.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026
The unit finished strong, and the run game production helped elevate the appearance of the group, but penalties and quarterback pressure limited what this grade could have been.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of pressure

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 14 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of intimidation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

boilerplate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes