How to say "intimidate" in Japanese

• 脅かすおびやかすCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbThis is read おびやかす and is the choice when 'intimidate' means making someone afraid — frightening or scaring them so that they feel threatened, as when danger looms over their safety or position.
• 脅かすおどかすJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThis is read おどかす and leans toward the threatening, menacing side of 'intimidate': pressing someone with threats to make them comply rather than frightening them — for the scare sense, おびやかす is the better choice.

Both are written 「脅かす」 but read differently: choose おびやかす when 'intimidate' means frightening someone or making them afraid, and おどかす when it means threatening or menacing them, for instance to force compliance.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 脅かすおびやかすto intimidate
• 脅かすおどかすto threaten
• 凄むすごむto threaten
• 凄みを利かせるすごみをきかせるto threaten
• 圧倒あっとうto intimidate
• 一発かますいっぱつかますto intimidate (someone)