INTIMIDATE Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

intimidate

verb

in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt

Definition of intimidate

as in to bully

to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats refusing to be intimidated by the manager's harsh stare, I demanded my money back

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of intimidate Barrel pants are an intimidating trend to get in on, but I’ve been tempted for months all the time. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026 Investing can feel intimidating for beginners and time-consuming for experienced traders alike, and Sterling Stock Picker aims to simplify both experiences. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026 Given Pittsburg’s working-class roots, the Fialas knew their wine bar couldn’t be fussy or intimidating. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 That's important, because ~17-18 hp isn't going to intimidate anyone, nor is it supposed to. — New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intimidate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimidate

Verb

Trump has been bullying Canada since the start of his second term.

— Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026
All of us artists could stand to be more like Mark, willing to speak out for oppressed people everywhere, even when powerful people try to bully us into silence.

— Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of bully

Verb

The aggressive approach deeply disrupted and frightened the participants.

— Kimmie Gordon, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
Penelope, too, is asked to occupy a landscape that frightens her, not only as a neurodivergent child in a neurotypical culture, but as a child now situated in an adult world.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of frighten

Verb

This horror movie mostly just smelled of fake fog from a community theater production and occasionally you were startled by random bursts of air, once again pulling you from the events on screen.

— Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Of those who were injured, officials said that many were hurt while falling down or hitting themselves against furniture after being startled by the earthquake while sleeping.

— Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of startle

Verb

Scarface doesn’t just bark orders at his underlings but browbeats the whimpering Ventriloquist, giving him that warped double personality that made older characters like Two-Face so alluring.

— Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Pheu Thai, conservatives believed, could always be co-opted or browbeaten into a politics of benefit sharing in which wealth and power were divided between a Pheu Thai figurehead and conservative power brokers.

— Duncan McCargo, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of browbeat

Browse Nearby Words

in time

intimidate

intimidated

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“Intimidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimidate. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of intimidate

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