verb (used with object),in·tim·i·dat·ed,in·tim·i·dat·ing.
to make timid; fill with fear.
to overawe or cow, as through the force of personality or by superior display of wealth, talent, etc.
to force into or deter from some action by inducing fear: to intimidate a voter into staying away from the polls.
Origin of intimidate
First recorded in 1640–50; from Medieval Latin intimidātus, past participle of intimidāre “to make afraid,” equivalent to Latin in- verb-formative prefix + timid(us) “afraid” + -ātus past participle suffix; see in-2, timid, -ate1
They said in an interview that guards and inmates had been making intimidating comments to her following her accusations and that she felt unsafe.
ICE Deported a Woman Who Accused Guards of Sexual Assault While the Feds Were Still Investigating the Incident|by Lomi Kriel|September 15, 2020|ProPublica
In the past six months, Eknelygoda’s wife, Sandya, said she believed witnesses in the case were being intimidated, and threats to her and surveillance of her family had increased.
These 10 journalists are missing, and COVID is impeding investigations|lbelanger225|September 1, 2020|Fortune
Keep immigrants feeling unwelcome, keep them afraid, keep them intimidated, and keep them away from knowing and asserting their rights, including their right to vote.
New U.S. Citizens Were One Of The Fastest-Growing Voting Blocs. But Not This Year.|Eileen Guo|August 31, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Cops, for instance, couldn’t intimidate a witness, lie in the course of an investigation or participate in a law enforcement gang with “a pattern of rogue on-duty behavior.”
Sacramento Report: Jones, COVID-19 and the Irony of Remote Voting|Sara Libby and Jesse Marx|August 28, 2020|Voice of San Diego
They are easily intimidated and remain silent for fear of retaliation, fear of losing their jobs, fear that nobody will listen or believe them.
Temp Workers Fight Back Against Alleged Sexual Harassment and Say They Face Retaliation for Doing So|by Melissa Sanchez|August 28, 2020|ProPublica
And nowadays, politicians and CEOs frequently employ the color to command respect and intimidate.
Scarlet Is the New Black|Raquel Laneri|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When ISIS beheaded an American journalist, it meant to intimidate—and provoke—the United States.
Obama vs. ISIS: This Time It's Personal|Eli Lake|August 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On Sunday, Iroquois defenders used them to intimidate and pummel Canadians in a second-half surge.
A Millennium After Inventing the Game, the Iroquois Are Lacrosse’s New Superpower|Evin Demirel|July 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You know, you had a government using its tools to intimidate the population.
The Conservatives' Great Black Hope|Evan Gahr|May 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Vice reporter Simon Ostrovsky has been detained by a pro-Russian faction as part of a campaign to intimidate journalists.
Putin’s Men in Ukraine Seize U.S. Journalist|Jamie Dettmer|April 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This may, perhaps, be intended to intimidate into acquiescence, but the effect has been most unfortunately otherwise.
Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson|Thomas Jefferson
Governor Ames tried every known means in his power to intimidate the legislature.
Publications of the Mississippi Historical Society, Volume 2 (of 14), 1899|Various
Finally his wife turned her frightened face upon him, glad to have still some one to intimidate.
The Copy-Cat and Other Stories|Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
Their presence served to intimidate the rioters and order began to be restored.
London and the Kingdom - Volume III|Reginald R. Sharpe
This was a mere ruse to intimidate Kit and his companion and throw them off their guard.
The Life and Adventures of Kit Carson, the Nestor of the Rocky Mountains, from Facts Narrated by Himself|De Witt C. Peters
British Dictionary definitions for intimidate
intimidate
/ (ɪnˈtɪmɪˌdeɪt) /
verb(tr)
to make timid or frightened; scare
to discourage, restrain, or silence illegally or unscrupulously, as by threats or blackmail