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Intimidate

7 dictionary results for: intimidate

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

in·tim·i·date

[in-tim-i-deyt] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object), -dat·ed, -dat·ing.

1.	to make timid; fill with fear.

2.	to overawe or cow, as through the force of personality or by superior display of wealth, talent, etc.

3.	to force into or deter from some action by inducing fear: to intimidate a voter into staying away from the polls.

[Origin: 1640–50; < ML intimidātus, ptp. of intimidāre to make afraid, equiv. to L in- in-² + timid(us) timid, afraid + -ātus -ate¹

]

—Related forms

in·tim·i·da·tion, noun

in·tim·i·da·tor, noun

in·tim·i·da·to·ry

[in-tim-i-duh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] Pronunciation Key, adjective

—Synonyms 1. frighten, subdue, daunt, terrify. See discourage.

—Antonyms 1. calm. 3. encourage.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

in·tim·i·date (ĭn-tĭm'ĭ-dāt') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. in·tim·i·dat·ed, in·tim·i·dat·ing, in·tim·i·dates

To make timid; fill with fear.
To coerce or inhibit by or as if by threats.

[Medieval Latin intimidāre, intimidāt- : Latin in-, causative pref.; see in-² + Latin timidus, timid; see timid.]

in·tim'i·dat'ing·ly adv., in·tim'i·da'tion n., in·tim'i·da'tor n.

Synonyms: These verbs all mean to frighten into submission, compliance, or acquiescence. Intimidate implies the presence or operation of a fear-inspiring force: "It [atomic energy] may intimidate the human race into bringing order into its international affairs" (Albert Einstein).
Browbeat suggests the persistent application of highhanded, disdainful, or imperious tactics: browbeating a witness.
Bulldoze connotes the leveling of all spirit of opposition: was bulldozed into hiring an unacceptable candidate.
Cow implies bringing out an abject state of timorousness and often demoralization: a dog that was cowed by abuse.
To bully is to intimidate through blustering, domineering, or threatening behavior: workers who were bullied into accepting a poor contract.
Bludgeon suggests the use of grossly aggressive or combative methods: had to be bludgeoned into fulfilling his duties.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
intimidate

1646, from M.L. intimidatus, pp. of intimidare "to frighten, intimidate," from L. in- "in" + timidus "fearful" (see timid).

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

intimidate
verb
1.	make timid or fearful; "Her boss intimidates her"
2.	to compel or deter by or as if by threats

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Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: in·tim·i·date
Pronunciation: in-'ti-m&-"dAt
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -dat·ed;-dat·ing
1 : to make timid or fearful; especially : to compel or deter by or as if by threats —see also COERCION
2 : to engage in the crime of intimidating (as a witness, juror, public officer in the performance of hisor her duty, or victim of a robbery or other crime) —in·tim·i·dat·ing·ly adverb —in·tim·i·da·tion/in-"ti-m&-'dA-sh&n/ noun —in·tim·i·da·tor /in-'ti-m&-"dA-t&r/ noun

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Intimidate

In*tim"i*date\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Intimidated; p. pr. & vb. n. Intimidating.] [LL. intimidatus, p. p. of intimidare to frighten; pref. in- in + timidus fearful, timid: cf. F. intimider. See Timid.] To make timid or fearful; to inspire of affect with fear; to deter, as by threats; to dishearten; to abash.

Now guilt, once harbored in the conscious breast, Intimidates the brave, degrades the great. --Johnson.

Syn: To dishearten; dispirit; abash; deter; frighten; terrify; daunt; cow.

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