To intimidate is equivalent to threatening.
The first thing to do to know the meaning of this term intimidate that concerns us is to know its etymological origin. In this case, it must be established that there are many uncertainties in this regard, although the theory that gains the most weight is the one that states that it derives from Portuguese, specifically, from the word medorento . This is a Portuguese adjective that can be translated as “cowardly” or “fearful.”
However, you must also know that, in turn, the word from which it comes is considered to derive from the Vulgar Latin, metorentus , which also means "fearful." A word that is the result of the sum of two clearly delimited components: the noun metus , which is synonymous with "fear", and the suffix -entus , which is used to indicate a physical condition or a state.
What is intimidation?
The verb intimidate refers to causing fear . The notion is usually used as a synonym for threatening or pressuring . For example: “I am not going to let myself be intimidated by the powerful who do not want this country to offer opportunities for everyone,” “For many years, the army was used to intimidate the population,” “The thief tried to intimidate the young woman.” , but the girl resisted."
Bullying (that is, the act and result of bullying) involves exerting pressure or placing a symbolic burden on the person who receives the action. In this way, the intimidated subject is expected to act according to the demands of the person in charge of intimidating.
A firearm can be used to intimidate.
Some examples
Take the case of a journalist who publishes an article in a newspaper denouncing a case of corruption involving a deputy. A few days after the article was published, someone left an envelope at home with a photograph showing the journalist's children playing in a square. This is an initiative that clearly seeks to intimidate the reporter: with the image they are showing him that his children are being watched or stalked. For the journalist, the message is a warning linked to his complaint and the possible consequences that his children may suffer if he continues publishing this type of notes.
A mobster, on the other hand, can intimidate someone who owes him money by shooting his car and warning him that, if he does not pay his debt, the next shots will be directed directly at him.
Bullying in the political sphere
Within the scope of the most recent politics, the verb intimidate is used very frequently. And the fact is that, periodically, situations and measures come to light that certain important figures at that level have used to intimidate rivals, colleagues and even institutions or citizens.
Thus, for example, we can highlight actions that can be carried out by a government to “scare” the people and ensure that they do not rise up against them, to other tasks that are carried out by political parties to prevent other opponents from making their actions known. outside the law. All in favor of maintaining their position of power.