# intimidate

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɪnˈtɪmɪdeɪt/ · frequency rank #19,372

## Definitions
1. To make timid or afraid; to cause to feel fear or nervousness; to deter, especially by threats of violence.

## Etymology
From Medieval Latin intimidātus, perfect passive participle of Latin intimidō (“to intimidate, terrify”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from in- (“in”) + timidus (“afraid, timid”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix); see timid.

## Easily confused with
- **intimidated** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/intimidate-vs-intimidated)
- **intimate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/intimate-vs-intimidate)

## Common misspellings (14)
`initmidate`, `inntimidate`, `intiimdate`, `intimdiate`, `intimiadte`, `intimidaet`, `intimidatte`, `intimiddate`, `intimidtae`, `intimmidate`, `intmiidate`, `inttimidate`, `itnimidate`, `nitimidate`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/intimidate