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

Arizona State, the University of Arizona and Oregon State have strong name recognition, actively recruit in California and feel less intimidating to students because they’re relatively close to home, she said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Let’s face it: Preparing and roasting a turkey is intimidating.

Read more on Salon

Those responsible, he added, "should be held accountable for the disgusting attempt to intimidate this family".

Read more on BBC

DeLa remembers this as “one of the best drag performances” she’s ever seen, but admits she was initially intimidated by Jinkx.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work,” he responded on social media.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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