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intimider

intimidate

verb an-tee-mee-DEH Rare
Mind & Emotions Emotions

Origin: Medieval Latin intimidare (to make afraid)

Usage Note

Intimider means to make someone feel fear or apprehension through a threat or imposing presence. The reflexive se laisser intimider means 'to let oneself be intimidated'. The noun intimidation and the adjective intimidant (intimidating) are close relatives. It is used in both legal (tentative d'intimidation = attempt at intimidation) and everyday contexts.

Examples

"Il essaie d'intimider ses adversaires."

Natural Translation

He tries to intimidate his opponents.

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