Synonym Chooser

How is the word intimidate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of intimidate are browbeat, bulldoze, bully, and cow. While all these words mean "to frighten into submission," intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

When is browbeat a more appropriate choice than intimidate?

The meanings of browbeat and intimidate largely overlap; however, browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

When would bulldoze be a good substitute for intimidate?

The words bulldoze and intimidate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

When is it sensible to use bully instead of intimidate?

The synonyms bully and intimidate are sometimes interchangeable, but bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

Where would cow be a reasonable alternative to intimidate?

While in some cases nearly identical to intimidate, 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

Examples of intimidate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The lawsuit also claimed that Jackson had retaliated against another officer by intimidating his girlfriend, a teacher; the suit claimed Jackson sat in on her class without prior notice and gave her an unwanted hug. Kristen Taketa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2024 Those outside may not express threatening, harassing, or intimidating behavior. Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Sep. 2024 Police shut down their exhibitions, confiscated their politically sensitive works, and even intimidated visitors by stationing guards outside their old studio in Beijing’s 798 art district. Nectar Gan, CNN, 3 Sep. 2024 She was born in the '50s, growing up in Hollywood during a time of troubling racial tension—not that the young student let that intimidate her, according to her friend Jennifer Caldwell. Isaac Bickerstaff, Glamour, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for intimidate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intimidate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near intimidate

Cite this Entry

“Intimidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimidate. Accessed 20 Sep. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on intimidate

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