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intimidate

 - 4 dictionary results

in⋅tim⋅i⋅date

  [in-tim-i-deyt]
Use intimidate in a Sentence
–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 -ate 1

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] , adjective

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

Antonyms:
1. calm. 3. encourage.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To intimidate
in·tim·i·date   (ĭn-tĭm'ĭ-dāt')   
tr.v.   in·tim·i·dat·ed, in·tim·i·dat·ing, in·tim·i·dates

  1. To make timid; fill with fear.

  2. 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

intimidate 
1646, from M.L. intimidatus, pp. of intimidare "to frighten, intimidate," from L. in- "in" + timidus "fearful" (see timid).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

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 his or 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
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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