intimidation.

The creation of fear to discourage action, resistance, or free choice.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• a campaign of intimidation
• voter intimidation
• intimidation tactics

On the page

The anonymous threats were part of a campaign of intimidation.

She recognized the guard’s theatrical anger as intimidation.

Intimidation kept several witnesses from attending the hearing.

Usage notes

Primary category: fear. Often purposeful and social; distinguishes imposed fear from spontaneous alarm. Feeling impressed by someone can be milder than coercive intimidation. Usually uncountable in this sense. Derived family (not additional inflections or records): intimidate.