intimidate

[in-tim-i-deyt]

verb (used with object)

intimidated, intimidating 

1. to make timid; fill with fear.

   Synonyms: terrify, daunt, subdue, frighten
   Antonyms: calm

2. to overawe or cow, as through the force of personality or by superior display of wealth, talent, etc.

3. to force into or deter from some action by inducing fear.

   to intimidate a voter into staying away from the polls.

   Antonyms: encourage

intimidate

/ ɪnˈtɪmɪˌdeɪt /

verb

1. to make timid or frightened; scare

2. to discourage, restrain, or silence illegally or unscrupulously, as by threats or blackmail

Other Word Forms

• intimidation noun
• intimidator noun
• intimidatory adjective
• intimidating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intimidate¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Medieval Latin intimidātus, past participle of intimidāre “to make afraid,” equivalent to Latin in- verb-formative prefix + timid(us) “afraid” + -ātus past participle suffix; in- ², timid, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of intimidate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin intimidāre, from Latin _in- ² + timidus fearful, from timor fear

Synonym Study

See discourage.

Example Sentences

“They attacked our vessels, intimidated our crew, and disabled our communications,” he said in the Oct.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A Catholic woman intimidated out of her home in June has said her replacement housing is substandard and, as a result, has split up her family.

Read more on BBC

There’s a moment when Robbie tells Tom, a former priest, that there’s nothing waiting for us on the other side of death, and there’s nothing intimidating about his tone.

Read more on Salon

She said large, repeated protests could leave sections of the country, particularly religious communities, "feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared to leave their homes".

Read more on BBC

Shedding allies, the LGBTQ+ coalition teeters on the tail of this recent Quiet Pride, with public institutions that have been loudly supportive in the recent past intimidated into whispers, or all-out silence.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• alarm 
• awe 
• bully 
• coerce 
• constrain 
• daunt 
• dishearten 
• dismay 
• scare 
• subdue 
• terrify 
• terrorize