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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: The size of the opposing players intimidated us.

2. To coerce or deter, as with threats: The police intimidated the suspect into signing a false statement.

[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: intimidate, browbeat, cow², bully¹
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. 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.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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