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

It has an adjustable light for middle-of-the-night inspiration and its interface has preloaded templates, such as weekly planners, in case staring at a blank screen is intimidating.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

So we should all be grateful that we have a Federal Reserve chair who has refused to be intimidated.

Read more on MarketWatch

A venomous Mitchell Starc struck three times during an intimidating opening spell to leave England in trouble on day one of the first Ashes Test against Australia on Friday in Perth.

Read more on Barron's

The prince allegedly had the journalist killed as part of a campaign to silence or intimidate critics of the Saudi regime.

Read more on Salon

It might be time to retire when the word “promotion” suddenly sounds intimidating instead of intriguing, says Farrell.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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