intimidation
gb/ɪntˌɪmɪdˈeɪʃən/ us/ɪntˌɪmɪdˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 9800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
action
1
using fear or pressure to control
The act of making someone feel afraid or weak by using threats, strong pressure, or power, usually to make them do what you want.
Usage pattern:
the intimidation of [someone]; use intimidation to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "intimidation" (the act of making someone afraid) with "intimidated" (the feeling of being afraid). For example, "I feel intimidation" is unnatural; it should be "I feel intimidated" or "I feel fear." Learners also sometimes use it as a countable noun (*"many intimidations"*); it is almost always uncountable: "He used intimidation," not *"He used intimidations."*
Synonyms
bullying (Suggests repeated, often personal mistreatment, especially in schools or workplaces.)
|
threatening (Focuses more on the presence of explicit or implied threats rather than ongoing pressure.)
|
coercion (More formal; stresses forcing someone to act against their will, often in legal or official contexts.)
Antonyms
reassurance (Opposite because it reduces fear and increases confidence instead of creating fear.)
Collocations
use intimidation
|bullying and intimidation
|workplace intimidation
|voter intimidation
|threats and intimidation
|act of intimidation
Themes
emotions
|conflict
|law
|work
|relationships
Examples
- The manager’s constant shouting created an atmosphere of intimidation in the office.
- She reported the intimidation to human resources after her colleague threatened to ruin her reputation.
- Journalists faced intimidation from officials who did not want the story made public.
- The union claimed that the company was using intimidation to stop workers from organizing.
Learner examples
- There was a lot of intimidation at her workplace, so she decided to leave.
- The teacher said that any form of intimidation in the classroom was not allowed.
- He used intimidation to make the smaller kids give him their lunch money.
- The workers spoke about the intimidation they felt from their angry boss.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
2
crime of using threats to influence
In law, the crime of using strong threats or pressure to make someone do something or change what they say, such as a witness or voter.
Usage pattern:
charge [someone] with intimidation; [type] intimidation of [group]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that in some contexts, especially in news or legal writing, "intimidation" refers to a specific criminal or punishable act, not just general fear or pressure. They might translate or understand it only as the general feeling, missing the legal meaning in phrases like "charged with intimidation."
Synonyms
menacing (Legal term in some systems; emphasizes the threatening behavior that may be charged as a crime.)
|
unlawful coercion (Formal legal phrase highlighting that the pressure or threats are against the law.)
Antonyms
lawful persuasion (Refers to influencing someone in a legal, acceptable way, without threats or pressure.)
Collocations
witness intimidation
|voter intimidation
|criminal intimidation
|intimidation charges
Themes
law
|politics
Examples
- The defendant was arrested on charges of witness intimidation after contacting the victim before the trial.
- International observers reported several cases of voter intimidation during the national election.
- The new law increases penalties for intimidation of journalists and human rights activists.
Learner examples
- The police opened an investigation into possible voter intimidation at the polling station.
- He was found guilty of intimidation after he threatened a witness before court.
- The judge warned that any intimidation of the jury would be treated as a serious crime.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intimidation
IPA
GB/ɪntˌɪmɪdˈeɪʃən/
US/ɪntˌɪmɪdˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
in - tim - id - a - tion (5 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: intimidation
- Plural: intimidation, intimidations
Word family
Forms
intimidations
noun
Core family
intimidate
verb B2
intimidating
adjective
Related words
intimidator
noun
intimidatingly
adverb
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.