intimidate
B2Formal, but common in general use, particularly in news, legal, and business contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To frighten or threaten someone, usually to make them do what you want.
To create a climate of fear, anxiety, or inferiority in order to coerce, control, or discourage someone's actions or expression.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically implies a deliberate, often unethical, use of power, strength, or influence to instil fear. It suggests an imbalance of power where one party seeks to dominate another through fear.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or grammatical usage.
Connotations
Slightly stronger association with legal contexts (e.g., witness intimidation) in American English. In British English, it can be used more broadly in social and professional contexts.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] intimidate [Object][Subject] intimidate [Object] into [V-ing]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None commonly used as fixed idioms; the verb itself is the core component of phrases like 'intimidate into silence'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The aggressive takeover tactics were designed to intimidate the smaller competitors.
Academic
The researcher argued that patriarchal structures can subtly intimidate women from participating in certain academic fields.
Everyday
His loud voice and intense stare can be quite intimidating when you first meet him.
Technical
The legal definition of assault can include actions intended to intimidate the victim.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The gang tried to intimidate the shopkeeper into paying protection money.
- She refused to be intimidated by his aggressive negotiation style.
American English
- The lawyer was accused of intimidating the witness before the trial.
- Don't let their fancy office intimidate you.
adverb
British English
- He stared intimidatingly across the negotiating table.
- The security guard stood intimidatingly by the door.
American English
- The crowd gathered intimidatingly close to the barrier.
- She smiled, but it was intimidatingly cold.
adjective
British English
- He had a rather intimidating presence at the board meeting.
- The exam was a truly intimidating prospect for the students.
American English
- She found the city's sheer size intimidating at first.
- The interviewer asked a series of intimidating questions.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The big dog intimidated the little child.
- He looks scary, but he doesn't want to intimidate anyone.
- Some people try to intimidate others to get their way.
- She felt intimidated by the size of the new school.
- The government was accused of using the police to intimidate political opponents.
- The complex legal language can intimidate people without a legal background.
- The pervasive culture of secrecy serves to intimidate whistle-blowers and suppress dissent.
- His formidable intellect and rapid-fire questioning could intimidate even the most seasoned experts.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TIMID person who ATE something scary. The scary thing INTIMIDATED them.
Conceptual Metaphor
FEAR IS A WEAPON / PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTROL IS PHYSICAL DOMINANCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with the Russian cognate 'интимный' (intimate, private). 'Intimidate' has no connection to intimacy.
- The closest Russian equivalents are 'запугивать' or 'застращивать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'intimate' (to hint or make known) instead of 'intimidate'.
- Incorrect preposition: 'He intimidated me to do it' should be 'He intimidated me into doing it'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'intimidate' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it almost always carries a negative connotation, implying the unfair or coercive use of fear. It is not used to describe legitimate, respectful persuasion.
'Threaten' is more direct and specific, often involving stated consequences. 'Intimidate' is broader; it can involve creating a general atmosphere of fear through behaviour, appearance, or implied power without explicit verbal threats.
Yes, figuratively. A difficult task, a large city, or a complex system can be described as 'intimidating' if it makes someone feel fearful, inadequate, or discouraged.
The main noun forms are 'intimidation' (the act) and 'intimidator' (the person who intimidates). The feeling of being intimidated is often described as 'intimidation' or the state of being 'intimidated'.