intimidate

verb
UK: /ɪnˈtɪmɪdeɪt/
US: /ɪnˈtɪmɪdeɪt/

  1. To frighten or threaten someone, usually in order to persuade them to do something that you want them to do.

    1. Don't let bullies intimidate you.
    2. The gang tried to intimidate the shopkeeper into paying them protection money.

  2. To make someone feel nervous or frightened, especially because you are bigger, more powerful, or more experienced than they are.

    1. He tries to intimidate his rivals.
    2. Some people are easily intimidated by those in positions of authority.

Synonyms

frighten terrify daunt threaten menace bully coerce
intimidate adjective

  1. Having an intimidating quality; causing feelings of fear or nervousness.

    1. He had an intimidating look.
    2. The army presents an intimidating force to any potential enemies.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "intimidate" in English means: To frighten or threaten someone, usually in order to persuade them to do something that you want them to do., To make someone feel nervous or frightened, especially because you are bigger, more powerful, or more experienced than they are..

The phonetic transcription of "intimidate" is /ɪnˈtɪmɪdeɪt/ in British English and /ɪnˈtɪmɪdeɪt/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "intimidate": frighten, terrify, daunt, threaten, menace, bully, coerce.

Example usage of "intimidate": "Don't let bullies intimidate you.". More examples on the page.