Synonyms

intimidate

American

[in-tim-i-deyt] / ɪnˈtɪm ɪˌdeɪt /

verb (used with object)

intimidated, intimidating

to make timid; fill with fear.

Synonyms:

terrify, daunt, subdue, frighten

Antonyms:

calm
to overawe or cow, as through the force of personality or by superior display of wealth, talent, etc.
to force into or deter from some action by inducing fear.

to intimidate a voter into staying away from the polls.

Antonyms:

encourage

intimidate British

/ ɪnˈtɪmɪˌdeɪt /

verb

to make timid or frightened; scare
to discourage, restrain, or silence illegally or unscrupulously, as by threats or blackmail

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See discourage.

Other Word Forms

intimidating adjective
intimidation noun
intimidator noun
intimidatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of intimidate

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I just looked at Chloe over his shoulder, beelined right to her, and snuggled up next to her on the couch, because I was so intimidated,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

No matter, two of these teams will be playoff bound by next week—even if they’re hardly as intimidating as the rest of the teams vying to win the Super Bowl.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite his impressive numbers, ninth-seeded Alabama isn’t showing signs of being intimidated by Mendoza heading into the College Football Playoff quarterfinal showdown.

From Los Angeles Times

"We will not be intimidated by a government that uses accusations of censorship to silence those who stand up for human rights and freedom of expression," they added.

From BBC

Beijing has been trying to intimidate her into silence ever since, and the effort took a particularly creepy turn last month.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023