intimidate
verbUS, UK /ɪnˈtɪmɪdeɪt/ · UK /ɪnˈtɪmɪdɛjt/
Etymology From Medieval Latin intimidātus, perfect passive participle of Latin intimidō (“to intimidate, terrify”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from in- (“in”) + timidus (“afraid, timid”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix); see timid.
1
To make timid or afraid; to cause to feel fear or nervousness; to deter, especially by threats of violence.
- He's trying to intimidate you. If you ignore him, hopefully he'll stop.
- His father tried to intimidate his son into staying, threatening him with banishment and a possible beating.2018, Nnedi Okorafor, Who Fears Death, HarperVoyager, page 168:
- Synonyms
- buffalo, bulldoze, bully, browbeat, cow, dastardize, daunt, dishearten, do down, domineer, drive, hector, intimidate, menace, strong-arm
- Derived terms
- unintimidate
- Related terms
- intimidatingly, intimidation, intimidator, intimidatory, timid, pick on, ride roughshod over, abash