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.

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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

But if Spain’s tactics revolved around control, patience, and invention, Argentina’s approach to Sunday focused more squarely on intimidation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

He also said he is confident that procedures "to protect the First Amendment and protect the freedom of the press and not result in intimidation of journalists or the like were followed."

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

Ghana, Malawi and Nigeria are among the African countries that have been repatriating some of their citizens seeking to escape violence and intimidation in South Africa ahead of the deadline.

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

"It is important that all communities across Scotland feel supported, protected and able to go about their daily lives without fear of hatred or intimidation."

From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026

“A lot of physical effort, calisthenics, and endurance exercises. A lot of mental intimidation, a lot of inspections.”

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

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

“Wine is always so filled with rules and intimidations and people feeling insecure. He actually breaks it down just beautifully. He gives people a certain security and lifts all these myths.”

From Slate ● Apr. 20, 2018

Personally I paid little attention to these intimidations.

From In the Forbidden Land by Landor, Arnold Henry Savage

Related Words

• coercion