Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of making someone feel frightened or less confident, especially to force them to do something: "Intimidation" refers to the action of using fear or threats to influence someone's behavior or decisions.
   • The feeling of being frightened or made to feel less confident: "Intimidation" can also describe the state or feeling of being afraid, timid, or discouraged, often due to someone else's perceived power, status, or aggressive actions.

Usage

• Intimidation is typically used as an uncountable noun to describe the general concept or feeling.
• It is often used in contexts involving power dynamics, such as bullying, legal threats, competitive environments, or social situations where one party exerts pressure on another.

Examples

• As a general concept/act:
  • The witness reported feeling intense intimidation from the defendant's associates.
  • Using intimidation to silence critics is a common tactic of authoritarian regimes.
• As a feeling/state:
  • She felt a sense of intimidation when she walked into the boardroom full of executives.
  • His wealth and fame can be a source of intimidation for new colleagues.

Advanced Usage

• "A campaign of intimidation": A sustained, organized effort to frighten a person or group.
  • The activists faced a campaign of intimidation designed to stop their protests.
• "Trial by intimidation": A situation where legal proceedings are influenced by threats or fear.
  • The defense lawyer argued it was a case of trial by intimidation, not justice.

Variants and Related Words

• Intimidate (verb): To frighten or threaten someone, usually to make them do something.
  • He tried to intimidate his opponent before the debate.
• Intimidating (adjective): Causing a feeling of fear or awe.
  • She found the professor's knowledge to be intimidating.
• Intimidator (noun): A person who intimidates others.
  • The bully was known as the school's main intimidator.

Synonyms

• Coercion: The practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats.
• Bullying: Using superior strength or influence to intimidate someone, typically to force them to do something.
• Menacing: Suggesting the presence of danger; threatening.

Antonyms

• Encouragement: The action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.
• Reassurance: The action of removing someone's doubts or fears.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "To rule by intimidation": To govern or control people primarily through fear and threats.
  • The dictator ruled by intimidation for decades.
• "An atmosphere of intimidation": A pervasive environment where people feel threatened.
  • An atmosphere of intimidation pervaded the workplace after the layoffs were announced.

Noun

1. a communication that makes you afraid to try something
2. the feeling of being intimidated; being made to feel afraid or timid
3. the feeling of discouragement in the face of someone's superior fame or wealth or status etc.
4. the act of intimidating a weaker person to make them do something