INTIMIDATE


Meaning of INTIMIDATE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt ]

transitive verb

( -dat·ed ; -dat·ing )

Etymology: Medieval Latin intimidatus, past participle of intimidare, from Latin in- + timidus timid

Date: 1646

: to make timid or fearful : frighten ; especially : to compel or deter by or as if by threats

tried to intimidate a witness

• in·tim·i·dat·ing·ly -ˌdā-tiŋ-lē adverb

• in·tim·i·da·tion -ˌti-mə-ˈdā-shən noun

• in·tim·i·da·tor -ˈti-mə-ˌdā-tər noun

Synonyms:

intimidate , cow , bulldoze , bully , browbeat mean to frighten into submission. intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost

not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business

bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior

bullied into giving up their lunch money

browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.