intimidation

American  

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

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.

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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

That data is considered highly sensitive because it can be used to commit identity theft, access financial or government records, and facilitate targeted harassment or intimidation, particularly if the data were mishandled or leaked.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

"Under such circumstances, what exactly is Iran expected to do?" he asked, stating: "Iran is not a nation that submits to coercion, intimidation or lawless aggression."

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

Unnoticed, the language of nuclear intimidation is again a currency in international conflict.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

By their interpretation, it wasn’t about military action—it was more an intimidation.

From Slate • Mar. 3, 2026

Desperation, deep poverty, and illiteracy drove women to take the risk of cohabiting with men such as truck drivers and soldiers, those with steady jobs or who wielded the power of intimidation.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

• coercion