intimidate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
-
to make timid or frightened; scare
-
to discourage, restrain, or silence illegally or unscrupulously, as by threats or blackmail
Related Words
See discourage.
Other Word Forms
- intimidating adjective
- intimidation noun
- intimidator noun
- intimidatory adjective
Etymology
Origin of intimidate
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“They should not be anonymous. They should be identifiable. And they have to have rules of engagement that don’t allow them to terrorize and intimidate, harass and assault U.S. citizens and other people,” he said.
From Salon
The video evidence shows Lemon calmly interviewing the pastor, the very person the federal government’s indictment claims he tried to “oppress and intimidate.”
From Salon
For many home buyers, this spring will look a little less intimidating than it did last year: Price gains have cooled, with declines in some parts of the U.S.
From Barron's
“Taking these steps makes the conversation about inheritance less intimidating and more constructive. It shows mutual respect for the past, present, and future.”
From MarketWatch
They can create an intimidating aura around the kitchen, and while that often makes fantastic television, it also distances us from the accessibility yesterday’s TV chefs used to preach.
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
