intimidate

[ in-tim-i-deyt ]
/ ɪnˈtɪm ɪˌdeɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR intimidate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), in·tim·i·dat·ed, in·tim·i·dat·ing.

to make timid; fill with fear.
to overawe or cow, as through the force of personality or by superior display of wealth, talent, etc.
to force into or deter from some action by inducing fear: to intimidate a voter into staying away from the polls.

Origin of intimidate

1640–50; < Medieval Latin intimidātus, past participle of intimidāre to make afraid, equivalent to Latin in- in-2 + timid(us) timid, afraid + -ātus -ate1

synonym study for intimidate

1. See discourage.

OTHER WORDS FROM intimidate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH intimidate

intimate intimidate

Words nearby intimidate

intimate, intimate borrowing, intimation, intimations of immortality, intime, intimidate, intimist, intimitis, intinction, intine, intitle

Words related to intimidation

coercion, frightening, threatening, demoralizing, daunting

Example sentences from the Web for intimidation

British Dictionary definitions for intimidation

intimidate
/ (ɪnˈtɪmɪˌdeɪt) /

verb (tr)

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

Derived forms of intimidate

intimidating, adjective intimidation, noun intimidator, noun

Word Origin for intimidate

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