Home/USA Today Rootonym/To influence, force into or deter from some action by inducing fear; to frighten (verb)
To influence, force into or deter from some action by inducing fear; to frighten (verb)
Looking for the answer to the USA Today Rootonym clue “To influence, force into or deter from some action by inducing fear; to frighten (verb)”? The solution is INTIMIDATE, a 10-letter word built on the root TIM (“fear”). It appeared in the June 12, 2026 (Friday) USA Today Rootonym. See the full puzzle for that day's other words.
Answer
INTIMIDATE
**TIM*****TIMmeans “fear”
In a sentence
The warden will INTIMIDATE prisoners because he requires control over unruly behavior.
About this clue
The Rootonym clue “To influence, force into or deter from some action by inducing fear; to frighten (verb)” has the answer INTIMIDATE (10 letters), built on the root TIM, which means “fear”. Browse the full June 12, 2026 Rootonym puzzle for the other three words, or see all Rootonym answers.