French Conversation · Level 73
60 words
French word
intimider
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛ̃timide/
Meaning
- verbintimidate
Example
Ne te laisse pas intimider par lui.
Don't let him intimidate you.
More examples
Les remarques agressives peuvent intimider un élève timide.
Aggressive remarks can intimidate a shy student.
Core concept
A person shrinks back from speaking or acting under another person's imposing words or gestures.
Common phrases
intimider quelqu'un par la menace
intimidate someone with threats
se faire intimider
be intimidated
Similar words
effrayer: To scare someone for a short time.
menacer: To threaten someone by saying that something bad will happen.
humilier: To make someone feel ashamed in public and lose confidence.
gêner: To interfere with someone's actions or speech, making them feel restricted.
Definition in French
Amener quelqu'un à perdre confiance par des paroles ou des gestes, de sorte qu'il évite de réagir ou de parler.
Word origin
The French verb intimider derives from Medieval Latin intimidare, ultimately based on Latin timere, 'to fear', and originally meant to cause fear.
Usage tips
- Intimider takes a direct object in French, as in intimider quelqu'un, while se laisser intimider uses par for the source of the pressure.
Other meanings
- cowverb
- scareverb
Opposites
- encouragerencourageverb
Related words
- intimidateurintimidatornoun
- intimidéintimidatedadjective