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
Example Sentences
He tries to intimidate his opponents. You shouldn't allow his reputation to intimidate you.
Recent Examples on the WebFacing harder problems involving your social life might intimidate you.Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2022 Because Chowdhurie and her husband had remodeled two previous homes, this project did not intimidate them. Kathy Orton, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2022 Reemerging at this time could intimidate an artist. Brooklyn White, Essence, 29 July 2022 Who is attempting to intimidate the witnesses, as Congresswoman Cheney said?CBS News, 3 July 2022 Though nonviolent in nature, conservatives have painted them as an effort to intimidate the justices, especially after Alito’s draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization leaked to Politico last month. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 14 June 2022 As waves of police from departments across Texas converge on Uvalde, officers have continued to intimidate, harass and impede journalists covering the aftermath of the second-deadliest K-12 school shooting ever in the United States. Brian Chasnoff, San Antonio Express-News, 6 June 2022 Their supporters have used threats and attacks to intimidate the independent candidates and their backers, according to unverified social media footage. Nazih Osseiran, WSJ, 15 May 2022 The second bill would double the penalty under federal law for individuals who threaten or intimidate election officials, poll watchers, voters or candidates from one year to two years. Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Medieval Latin intimidatus, past participle of intimidare, from Latin in- + timidus timid