intimidation

American  

[in-tim-i-dey-shuhn] / ɪnˌtɪm ɪˈdeɪ ʃən /

noun

• intimidations
  plural

1. the act of inducing fear or awe.

   The true motive of most street harassment is intimidation.

2. the act or process of attempting to force or deter an action by inducing fear.

   She spoke passionately about the violence and intimidation suffered by African Americans in Mississippi seeking to register to vote.

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• intimidations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of intimidation

intimid(ate) ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Explanation

Intimidation is when you try to frighten a weaker person into doing what you want. You might use intimidation to get your brother to mow the lawn for you. Intimidation can refer to the act of making someone feel timid or afraid — like what you sometimes do to your brother — or it can also refer to that fearful feeling itself. Intimidation might make members of a jury hesitate to convict a defendant. Intimidation can also refer to feeling threatened, discouraged, or afraid because you're facing something stronger or superior. You might feel a sense of intimidation right before your soccer team plays the undefeated state champs.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

intimidation intimidations

In highly publicized cases, it is common for judges to protect jurors' identities to shield them from the risk of harassment or intimidation.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

Criticism first surfaced publicly about a decade ago, which led Redzepi to acknowledge a pattern of intimidation in a 2015 essay.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

Or he can ignore the intimidation tactic and continue as if nothing happened.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

Undeterred by the police action and intimidation, the CJP has vowed to press ahead until their demands are met.

From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026

But I will not give in to the intimidation.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

She believes Combs cut them from the band because neither would give in to his intimidations on and off camera.

From Salon ● Jan. 27, 2025

Women make up a majority of Iran’s university students and nearly half of the work force, and they have a robust presence in civil society, where they work for greater rights despite arrests and intimidations.

From New York Times ● Mar. 1, 2023

“Your intimidations and subversive actions have only swelled the ranks of Africans concerned with preserving their dignity.”

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 24, 2022

“Hate-filled threats and intimidations have no place in our society,” U.S.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 25, 2022

But no intimidations could move the old man; he was resolved to stay and oversee matters personally; perhaps he suspected Coronado's plan of marrying Clara.

From Overland by J. W. (John William) De Forest

Related Words

• coercion