intimidate

[ in-tim-i-deyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·tim·i·dat·ed, in·tim·i·dat·ing.

1. to make timid; fill with fear.

   Synonyms: terrify, daunt, subdue, frighten

   Antonyms: calm

2. to overawe or cow, as through the force of personality or by superior display of wealth, talent, etc.
3. to force into or deter from some action by inducing fear:

   to intimidate a voter into staying away from the polls.

   Antonyms: encourage

intimidate

/ ɪnˈtɪmɪˌdeɪt /

verb

1. to make timid or frightened; scare
2. to discourage, restrain, or silence illegally or unscrupulously, as by threats or blackmail

Derived Forms

• inˈtimiˌdator, noun
• inˌtimiˈdation, noun
• inˈtimiˌdating, adjective

Other Words From

• in·tim·i·da·tion [in-tim-i-, dey, -sh, uh, n] noun
• in·tim·i·da·tor noun
• in·tim·i·da·to·ry [in-, tim, -i-d, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intimidate¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Medieval Latin intimidātus, past participle of intimidāre “to make afraid,” equivalent to Latin in- verb-formative prefix + timid(us) “afraid” + -ātus past participle suffix; in- ², timid, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of intimidate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin intimidāre, from Latin in- ² + timidus fearful, from timor fear

Synonym Study

See discourage.

Example Sentences

She also sensed that Mastin was wary of intimidating men with her accomplishments.

From Los Angeles Times

After being intimidated out of east Belfast, the family moved to west Belfast and set up home in the Divis flats on the Falls Road.

From BBC

"Underneath what could be a fierce exterior, and a manner some undoubtedly found intimidating, beat a loving, kind and compassionate human heart", he added.

From BBC

They were too afraid and intimidated, or they thought they wouldn’t be believed, or they thought Trump would sue them for defamation if they told anyone.

From Salon

“It is obvious that the frivolous lawsuit filed against my firm is an aggressive attempt to intimidate or silence me and ultimately my clients,” Buzbee wrote in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alarm
• awe
• bully
• coerce
• constrain
• daunt
• dishearten
• dismay
• scare
• subdue
• terrify
• terrorize