Definition

1. Verb:
   • To frighten or threaten someone, usually to make them do what you want or to discourage them from doing something.
   • To make someone feel timid, afraid, or less confident.

Usage

The verb "intimidate" describes the act of using fear or threats to influence someone's behavior or state of mind. It often implies an imbalance of power, where one person uses their perceived strength, authority, or aggression to control another.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The bully tried to intimidate the new student.
  • She refused to be intimidated by the aggressive questioning.
  • The lawyer's reputation was enough to intimidate some witnesses.

Advanced Usage

• "to intimidate someone into (doing) something": to use threats or fear to force someone to do a specific thing.
  • He was intimidated into signing the contract.
• "to feel intimidated": to experience a feeling of being frightened or made less confident.
  • Many young artists feel intimidated by the competitive market.

Variants and Related Words

• Intimidating (adj): causing fear, awe, or a loss of confidence.
  • He has a very intimidating presence.
• Intimidation (n): the action of intimidating someone; the state of being intimidated.
  • The report cited evidence of voter intimidation.

Synonyms

• Bully: to use strength or influence to harm or intimidate someone perceived as weaker.
• Coerce: to persuade someone to do something by using force or threats.
• Terrify: to cause someone to feel extreme fear.

Antonyms

• Encourage: to give support, confidence, or hope to someone.
• Reassure: to say or do something to remove someone's doubts or fears.

Phrasal Verbs / Common Collocations

• Intimidate out of: to use threats or fear to stop someone from doing something.
  • They tried to intimidate him out of running for office.

Verb

1. to compel or deter by or as if by threats
2. make timid or fearful
   • Her boss intimidates her