intimidate

/in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt/

Medieval Latin intimidatus, past participle of intimidare, from Latin in- + timidus timid

verb

  1. to make timid or fearful : frighten; especially : to compel or deter by or as if by threats

intimidate cow bulldoze bully browbeat mean to frighten into submission. intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another. cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost.