Intimidate Meaning
/ɪnˈtɪmɪdeɪt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo make timid or afraid; to cause to feel fear or nervousness; to deter, especially by threats of violence.
Sentence Examples
It's no use trying to intimidate me.
You can't intimidate us.
Sami brought all of his friends to try to intimidate Farid.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The bully's threats were meant to ____ the smaller child into giving up his lunch money.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The lawyer tried to ____ the witness with aggressive questions, but she remained very calm.
Word Origin & History
From Medieval Latin intimidātus, perfect passive participle of Latin intimidō (“to intimidate, terrify”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from in- (“in”) + timidus (“afraid, timid”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix); see timid.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"His father tried to intimidate his son into staying, threatening him with banishment and a possible beating."
— 2018, Nnedi Okorafor, Who Fears Death, HarperVoyager, page 168:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The bully's threats were meant to ____ the smaller child into giving up his lunch money.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The lawyer tried to ____ the witness with aggressive questions, but she remained very calm.