intimidator

in·tim·i·date

 (ĭn-tĭm′ĭ-dāt′)

tr.v. in·tim·i·dat·ed, in·tim·i·dat·ing, in·tim·i·dates

1. To make timid; fill with fear: The size of the opposing players intimidated us.

2. To coerce or deter, as with threats: The police intimidated the suspect into signing a false statement.

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[Medieval Latin intimidāre, intimidāt- : Latin in-, causative pref.; see in-² + Latin timidus, timid; see timid.]

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in·tim′i·dat′ing·ly adv.

in·tim′i·da′tion n.

in·tim′i·da′tor n.

Synonyms: intimidate, browbeat, cow², bully¹
These verbs all mean to frighten into submission, compliance, or acquiescence. Intimidate implies the presence or operation of a fear-inspiring force: "It [atomic energy] may intimidate the human race into bringing order into its international affairs" (Albert Einstein).
Browbeat suggests the persistent application of highhanded, disdainful, or imperious tactics: browbeating a witness. Cow implies bringing out an abject state of timorousness and often demoralization: a dog that was cowed by abuse. To bully is to intimidate through blustering, domineering, or threatening behavior: workers who were bullied into accepting a poor contract.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

intimidator

noun

One who is habitually cruel to smaller or weaker people:

browbeater, bulldozer, bully, hector.

Archaic: brave.

The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.