intimidation

American  

[in-tim-i-day-shuhn] / ɪnˌtɪm ɪˈdeɪ ʃən /

noun

• intimidations
  plural

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.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• intimidations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of intimidation

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

Explanation

Intimidation is when you try to frighten a weaker person into doing what you want. You might use intimidation to get your brother to mow the lawn for you. Intimidation can refer to the act of making someone feel timid or afraid — like what you sometimes do to your brother — or it can also refer to that fearful feeling itself. Intimidation might make members of a jury hesitate to convict a defendant. Intimidation can also refer to feeling threatened, discouraged, or afraid because you're facing something stronger or superior. You might feel a sense of intimidation right before your soccer team plays the undefeated state champs.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

intimidation intimidations

Organizers say volunteers will explain voting rights, try to de-escalate confrontations and document potential intimidation or other misconduct.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

Even when local law enforcement is working with election officials, officers are subject to the same voter intimidation restrictions as anybody else, Diaz said.

From Salon ● Oct. 8, 2026

It also said it was "paramount that the residents be protected from any form of forced processions that disregard their consent, safety and right to live in peace free from intimidation".

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

After nearly 10 months of intimidation, Mr. Netanyahu will proudly stand at the General Assembly podium on behalf of the Jewish state.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026

Mr. Pirzada began carving, without the least bit of intimidation, as if he had been carving jack-o’-lantems his whole life.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

She believes Combs cut them from the band because neither would give in to his intimidations on and off camera.

From Salon ● Jan. 27, 2025

“Your intimidations and subversive actions have only swelled the ranks of Africans concerned with preserving their dignity.”

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 24, 2022

“Hate-filled threats and intimidations have no place in our society,” U.S.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 25, 2022

“Hate-filled threats and intimidations have no place in our society,” Rachael S. Rollins, the U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts, said in the statement.

From New York Times ● Apr. 22, 2022

But no intimidations could move the old man; he was resolved to stay and oversee matters personally; perhaps he suspected Coronado's plan of marrying Clara.

From Overland by J. W. (John William) De Forest

Related Words

• coercion