Meaning & use

intimidation

noun·Academic

The act of frightening or threatening someone, usually to make them do something.

See it in a sentence

The witness refused to testify after facing months of intimidation from the gang.

Coaches sometimes use loud shouting as a form of intimidation during matches.

A note on using this word

Intimidation often implies a deliberate strategy of fear rather than an accidental scare.

Words with a similar meaning

threatscoercion

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

encouragementreassurance

Make it your own

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