What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
coerce
Example
The boss tried to coerce his employees into working overtime by threatening to fire them. [coerce: verb]
Example
She felt coerced into signing the contract under duress. [coerced: past tense]
intimidate
Example
The bully tried to intimidate his classmates by making threats and displaying aggressive behavior. [intimidate: verb]
Example
She felt intimidated by the large crowd and decided to leave. [intimidated: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Intimidate is more commonly used than coerce in everyday language. Intimidate is often used to describe situations of bullying or harassment, while coerce is less common and typically used in more formal or legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between coerce and intimidate?
While coerce is associated with a more formal and legal tone, intimidate is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Intimidate is also more commonly used in casual conversations and everyday language.
