intimidate
verb
in·tim·i·date in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt 
intimidated; intimidating
transitive verb
: to make timid or fearful : frighten
especially : to compel or deter by or as if by threats
tried to intimidate a witness
intimidation
in-ˌti-mə-ˈdā-shən
noun intimidator
in-ˈti-mə-ˌdā-tər
noun 
Synonyms
- blackjack
- bogart
- browbeat
- bulldoze
- bully
- bullyrag
- cow
- hector
- strong-arm
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He tries to intimidate his opponents. You shouldn't allow his reputation to intimidate you.
Recent Examples on the Web Facing harder problems involving your social life might intimidate you. 
Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2022 Because Chowdhurie and her husband had remodeled two previous homes, this project did not intimidate them. Kathy Orton, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2022 Reemerging at this time could intimidate an artist. Brooklyn White, Essence, 29 July 2022 Who is attempting to intimidate the witnesses, as Congresswoman Cheney said? CBS News, 3 July 2022 Though nonviolent in nature, conservatives have painted them as an effort to intimidate the justices, especially after Alito’s draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization leaked to Politico last month. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 14 June 2022 As waves of police from departments across Texas converge on Uvalde, officers have continued to intimidate, harass and impede journalists covering the aftermath of the second-deadliest K-12 school shooting ever in the United States. Brian Chasnoff, San Antonio Express-News, 6 June 2022 Their supporters have used threats and attacks to intimidate the independent candidates and their backers, according to unverified social media footage. Nazih Osseiran, WSJ, 15 May 2022 The second bill would double the penalty under federal law for individuals who threaten or intimidate election officials, poll watchers, voters or candidates from one year to two years. Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2022 See More
Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2022 Because Chowdhurie and her husband had remodeled two previous homes, this project did not intimidate them. Kathy Orton, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2022 Reemerging at this time could intimidate an artist. Brooklyn White, Essence, 29 July 2022 Who is attempting to intimidate the witnesses, as Congresswoman Cheney said? CBS News, 3 July 2022 Though nonviolent in nature, conservatives have painted them as an effort to intimidate the justices, especially after Alito’s draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization leaked to Politico last month. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 14 June 2022 As waves of police from departments across Texas converge on Uvalde, officers have continued to intimidate, harass and impede journalists covering the aftermath of the second-deadliest K-12 school shooting ever in the United States. Brian Chasnoff, San Antonio Express-News, 6 June 2022 Their supporters have used threats and attacks to intimidate the independent candidates and their backers, according to unverified social media footage. Nazih Osseiran, WSJ, 15 May 2022 The second bill would double the penalty under federal law for individuals who threaten or intimidate election officials, poll watchers, voters or candidates from one year to two years. Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Medieval Latin intimidatus, past participle of intimidare, from Latin in- + timidus timid
First Known Use
1646, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
intimidate
verb
in·tim·i·date in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt
intimidated; intimidating
: to frighten especially by threats
Legal Definition
intimidate
transitive verb
in·tim·i·date in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt
intimidated; intimidating
1
: to make timid or fearful
especially : to compel or deter by or as if by threats see also coercion
2
: to engage in the crime of intimidating (as a witness, juror, public officer in the performance of his or her duty, or victim of a robbery or other crime)
intimidation
noun
as in fear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- fear
- coercion
- violence
- threat
- menace
- terrorism
- terror
- bullying
- pressure
- duress
- compulsion
- sword
- arm-twisting
- browbeating
- bulldozing
- constraint
- force
- strength
- muscle
- might
- squeeze
- potency
- stress
- willfulness
- squeeze play
- puissance
- hardheadedness
- self-will
- strain
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- consent
- approval
- agreement
- permission
- persuasion
- reason
- suasion
- convincing
- taken out on someone
- taken over
- taken ship
- taken short
- taken something out on
- taken something out on someone
- taken the count
- taken the floor
- taken the mickey out of
- taken to
- taken to task
- taken to the cleaners
- taken up
- taken up with
- taken/caught short
- takeoff
- takeoffs
- takeout
- takeout double
- takeouter
- takeoutest
- takeouts
- takeoutter
- takeouttest
- takeover