intimidation

[in-tim-i-dey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of inducing fear or awe.

   The true motive of most street harassment is intimidation.

2. the act or process of attempting to force or deter an action by inducing fear.

   She spoke passionately about the violence and intimidation suffered by African Americans in Mississippi seeking to register to vote.

Word History and Origins

Origin of intimidation¹

intimid(ate) ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Example Sentences

Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and his House counterpart Hakeem Jeffries have dismissed the job cuts threat as an attempt at intimidation and said mass firings would not stand up in court.

Read more on Barron's

Mr Ahmed also said the OfS was "ready to act" to punish universities for not protecting academics and students from harassment and intimidation from foreign dictatorships.

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Melanie Phillips, a columnist for the Times of London, says the attack in Manchester “took place against the backdrop of two years of demonization, incitement and intimidation directed at the Jewish community.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Democrats criticize the plan, citing concerns about healthcare cuts affecting millions of Americans and calling it an attempt at intimidation.

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It is not the first time Alliance party representatives have complained of intimidation.

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Related Words

• coercion