Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for intimidate

intimidate

[ in-tim-i-deyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·tim·i·dat·ed, in·tim·i·dat·ing.
  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
“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


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • inˈtimiˌdator, noun
  • inˌtimiˈdation, noun
  • inˈtimiˌdating, adjective
Discover More

Other Words From

  • in·tim·i·da·tion [in-tim-i-, dey, -sh, uh, n] noun
  • in·tim·i·da·tor noun
  • in·tim·i·da·to·ry [in-, tim, -i-d, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective
Discover More

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
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of intimidate1

C17: from Medieval Latin intimidāre, from Latin in- ² + timidus fearful, from timor fear
Discover More

Synonym Study

Discover More

Example Sentences

They said in an interview that guards and inmates had been making intimidating comments to her following her accusations and that she felt unsafe.

In the past six months, Eknelygoda’s wife, Sandya, said she believed witnesses in the case were being intimidated, and threats to her and surveillance of her family had increased.

From Fortune

Keep immigrants feeling unwelcome, keep them afraid, keep them intimidated, and keep them away from knowing and asserting their rights, including their right to vote.

Cops, for instance, couldn’t intimidate a witness, lie in the course of an investigation or participate in a law enforcement gang with “a pattern of rogue on-duty behavior.”

They are easily intimidated and remain silent for fear of retaliation, fear of losing their jobs, fear that nobody will listen or believe them.

And nowadays, politicians and CEOs frequently employ the color to command respect and intimidate.

When ISIS beheaded an American journalist, it meant to intimidate—and provoke—the United States.

One pilot friend in Zwara pointed out that just “two Apaches,” attack helicopters, would intimidate the militias into a ceasefire.

On Sunday, Iroquois defenders used them to intimidate and pummel Canadians in a second-half surge.

You know, you had a government using its tools to intimidate the population.

On one occasion a noted professional duellist thought that he could intimidate him.

Were these figures going to the enemy Chief they might intimidate him—coming here they alarm me.

To intimidate them, Dunmore issued proclamations, and threatened freeing the slaves against their masters.

She had a faint hope that the room might intimidate this Western girl, but instead of intimidation there was exultation.

They were trying to intimidate him—to make him flinch; each was urging the other on to some immediate act of personal violence.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


intimeintimidated