intimidate

[ in-tim-i-deyt ]

/ ɪnˈtɪm ɪˌdeɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR intimidate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), in·tim·i·dat·ed, in·tim·i·dat·ing.

to make timid; fill with fear.

to overawe or cow, as through the force of personality or by superior display of wealth, talent, etc.

to force into or deter from some action by inducing fear: to intimidate a voter into staying away from the polls.

Nearby words

intimate, intimate borrowing, intimation, intimations of immortality, intime, intimidate, intimist, intimitis, intinction, intine, intitle

Origin of intimidate

1640–50; < Medieval Latin intimidātus, past participle of intimidāre to make afraid, equivalent to Latin in- in-² + timid(us) timid, afraid + -ātus -ate¹

SYNONYMS FOR intimidate

1 frighten, subdue, daunt, terrify.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR intimidate ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR intimidate

1 calm.

3 encourage.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR intimidate ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

in·tim·i·da·tion, nounin·tim·i·da·tor, nounin·tim·i·da·to·ry

[in-tim-i-duh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ɪnˈtɪm ɪ dəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectiveun·in·tim·i·dat·ed, adjective

un·in·tim·i·dat·ing, adjective

Can be confused

intimate intimidate

Synonym study

1. See discourage.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for intimidating

The mother, Emily Kruse, was charged with obstructing justice and intimidating a witness.
Judge: Rehoming Kids Is Trafficking|Tina Traster|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Thanksgiving may be about family, but that comes with an intimidating collection of double-edged swords.
How to Make It Through Thanksgiving Alive|Lizzie Crocker|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Eventually, Scott began stopping by the offices and intimidating editors into covering his music.
It Was All a Dream: Drama, Bullshit, and the Rebirth of The Source Magazine|Alex Suskind|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Brienne of Tarth is back on the road—a far more worldly and intimidating figure than her hapless male squire, Podrick Payne.
Game of Thrones’ Ep. 5 'First of His Name' Recap: An Ode to the Women of Westeros|Andrew Romano|May 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The group helped set the pattern Bloomberg is using to lend his intimidating campaign some moral heft.
Money and Guns: How We Escape Our Existential Dread|James Poulos|April 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was something conclusive and intimidating about Ellen's look and tone.
The Portion of Labor|Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
I was on the point of saying this, but Schomberg's stare was intimidating.
Falk|Joseph Conrad
She had dignity in spite of her whimsies, but he could not imagine her intimidating even a schoolgirl.
Regiment of Women|Clemence Dane
All three started back a little as he drew near; there was something in his unwinking eyes which was intimidating.
Jerome, A Poor Man|Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
She sipped her drink and wished it was a little more serious and intimidating.
Makers|Cory Doctorow

British Dictionary definitions for intimidating

intimidate

/ (ɪnˈtɪmɪˌdeɪt) /

verb (tr)

to make timid or frightened; scare

to discourage, restrain, or silence illegally or unscrupulously, as by threats or blackmail

Derived Forms

intimidating, adjectiveintimidation, nounintimidator, noun

Word Origin for intimidate

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

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