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

"Everyone deserves to live without fear or intimidation," he said.

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"No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation," they said in a joint statement.

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Since she’s immune to Nile’s intimidation tactics, he secretly does her another “favor” she’d never ask of him, mainly because doing so also satiates his sociopathic urges.

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But there’s a big exception in which more old-fashioned prejudices about bodily strength and real world power kick in: When the person in question rules through intimidation.

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“For anyone to say this request is from the White House, it feels like an intimidation tactic.”

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Related Words

• coercion