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

One of the lead nurses, Bethany Hutchison, said Rose had smirked at her as they passed in a corridor, which she took to be an attempt at intimidation.

Read more on BBC

And access to the university's websites from China was blocked, impeding its ability to recruit Chinese students, in a campaign of threats and intimidation lasting more than two years.

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NGOs in Tunisia say they are facing a campaign of "intimidation" by authorities, who recently suspended the activities of two of the country's best-known organisations.

Read more on Barron's

He said the intimidation of local residents is what forced his group into action.

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The judge decreed there were “reasonable grounds to believe that such disclosure” to Mr. Cruz “will result in destruction of or tampering with evidence, intimidation of potential witnesses and serious jeopardy to the investigation.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• coercion