Spanish word

intimidar

Pronunciation

IPA/intimiˈðaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbintimidate

Example

Su tono de voz puede intimidar a la gente.

Their tone of voice can intimidate people.

Illustration for intimidar (intimidate)

More examples

Las bromas pesadas pueden intimidar a las personas tímidas.

Mean-spirited jokes can intimidate shy people.

Core concept

A stern gesture that makes someone flinch.

Common phrases

  • dejarse intimidar

    be intimidated

  • intimidar verbalmente

    intimidate verbally

  • intimidar con palabras

    intimidate with words

Similar words

asustar: Frighten someone briefly with a sudden shock or surprising event.
amenazar: Threaten someone with harm or punishment to instill fear.
atemorizar: Fill someone with intense, overwhelming fear or dread.
acobardar: Make someone lose courage, causing them to shrink back from acting.

Definition in Spanish

Causa que alguien sienta temor o se retraiga por la conducta intimidatoria de otra persona, aunque no haya una amenaza explícita.

Word origin

From Latin intimidāre, derived from timēre 'to fear' with the prefix in-, later adopted into Spanish through Romance languages.

Usage tips

  • The verb is typically transitive and commonly takes a person with the personal a, as in intimidar a alguien rather than intimidar alguien.

Other meanings

  • threatenverb
  • frightenverb

Opposites

Related words

  • intimidaciónintimidationnoun
  • intimidadointimidatedadjective
  • intimidanteintimidatingadjective

Word lists with this word