cowing

kaʊ

verb

cause (someone) to submit to one’s wishes by intimidation.

the intellectuals had been cowed into silence

intimidate,daunt,browbeat,bully,badger,dragoon,bludgeon,tyrannize,overawe,awe,dismay,dishearten,unnerve,subdue,scare,terrorize,frighten,petrify,psych out,bulldoze,railroad