intimidation
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intimidation
The act of unsettling someone through threats or frightening behavior and influencing them to do or not do something specific.
Die Zeugin berichtete von Versuchen der Einschüchterung vor dem Prozess.
The witness reported attempts at intimidation before the trial.
The word comes from the verb 'einschüchtern' (to intimidate). It contains the adjective 'schüchtern' (shy). To intimidate someone therefore literally means to 'make them shy' through fear.
Lass dich von seiner lauten Stimme nicht einschüchtern.
Don't let his loud voice intimidate you.
The word family includes the verb 'einschüchtern' (to intimidate) and the participle/adjective 'eingeschüchtert' (intimidated). If you know one form, you can understand the others more easily.
Der kleine Hund wirkte neben dem großen sehr eingeschüchtert.
The small dog looked very intimidated next to the big one.
'Einschüchterung' (intimidation) is often used in fixed expressions. Common ones are 'ein Versuch der Einschüchterung' (an attempt at intimidation) or 'Opfer von Einschüchterung werden' (to become a victim of intimidation).
Der Journalist wertete die anonyme E-Mail als Versuch der Einschüchterung.
The journalist saw the anonymous email as an attempt at intimidation.
threat
Bedrohung puts the announced violence or other negative consequence in the foreground. Einschüchterung refers more broadly to the fear-inducing behavior used to unsettle and influence someone; this can include threats as well as other aggressive behavior.
Das laute Anschreien des Zeugen diente seiner Einschüchterung und sollte ihn zum Schweigen bringen.
Shouting loudly at the witness was intended to intimidate him and silence him.
Die Bedrohung mit Schlägen sollte den Zeugen zum Schweigen bringen.
The threat of being beaten was intended to silence the witness.
