INTIMIDATION Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

intimidation

noun

Definition of intimidation

as in fear

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of intimidation But there are several other federal and state statutes barring voter intimidation that could apply. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 The framework says support for Israel need not mean endorsing every government decision, and calls on Israel to act against settler intimidation and violence. — Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 And for those elections to truly be free, ALL candidates must have the freedom to run and campaign without oppression, intimidation or persecution — starting with María Corina Machado. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026 That reality was brought home when Chinese missiles landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone as part of the intimidation campaign Beijing launched after Pelosi’s 2022 visit to Taiwan. — David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2026 Moreover, the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, the annual gala celebration of the First Amendment, was held in April despite an intimidation campaign directed at some of those correspondents. — Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2026 Connecticut State Colleges and Universities is discontinuing the investigation into a complaint of bullying and workplace intimidation against Central Connecticut State University President Zulma Toro following her resignation. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026 Farthing was arrested in Kentucky in February on a charge of intimidation of a participant in the legal process. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026 There is also a level of intimidation — The Athletic encountered a reluctance from individuals and organisations to speak on the record. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimidation

Noun

Residents say Ethiopian federal forces retook Mekelle’s airport from Tigrayan fighters, but communications blackouts and fear of reprisals have left unclear who controls Tigray’s capital city.

— Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
The book offers creative ways to manage fear and negativity — like pretend-flushing your mistakes down the toilet — before, during and after a high-stakes task.

— Lennon Sherburne, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of fear

Noun

Altman was careful to say that Astra, OpenAI’s current flagship model, does not pose an existential threat.

— Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Jamal allegedly promised to protect the Feeding Our Future operatives against the threat of prosecution, took their money, and then turned some of them over to investigators.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of threat

Noun

In Congo, where the outbreak has spread to seven provinces, responders have faced attacks on health teams, misinformation about the virus, a failure by locals to report symptoms and rebel violence that has limited access to treatment centers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
In a statement to Rolling Stone, the singer’s attorney, Mathew Rosengart, praised her bravery in fighting the agreement that would have barred her from speaking about her experience and her work with domestic-violence groups.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of violence

Noun

Nearly a year later, Brazil’s courts convicted Eduardo of coercion and sentenced him to four years and two months in prison.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
Other leaders seem resigned to the fact that this 80-year global experiment in cooperative international relations has ceded the floor once again to the world order of coercion that dictated most of human history.

— Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of coercion

Noun

Jay cites the scene in which Tommy DeVito (played by Joe Pesci) threatens Billy Batts (Frank Vincent) with increasingly outrageous acts of violence, turning the mobster’s menace into dark comedy.

— John Kennedy, VIBE.com, 30 Sep. 2026
The Lakers have watched Reaves grow up, from a surprising bit player in 2021-22 to a multifaceted menace who last season scored 51 points one game, dished 16 assists in another, and had others with 11 rebounds and four steals.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of menace

Noun

British authorities have linked the terror plot to Tehran, although Iran has denied involvement.

— Azhar Sukri,Terri Cullen, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
That resonated for me because the war on terror did a tremendous amount of damage to people, and those people have suffered in silence.

— Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of terror

Noun

Lula’s government opposed the move, warning that applying a terrorism framework to Brazilian criminal groups could become a pretext for foreign intervention.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
An Oregon high school cafeteria chemical scare that left a student in critical condition has escalated into a domestic terrorism and attempted murder case against the same teenager school staff rushed to save.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrorism

Noun

That ratio is expected to fall to around two by 2050, putting further pressure on growth and public finances, including healthcare systems, according to Moody’s.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
In the early 2000s, the city authorities stopped the culling of baboon troops in response to public pressure, but that has since swollen the population by a third – to around 500.

— Will Barker, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of pressure

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“Intimidation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimidation. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of intimidation

noun

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