ข่ม
intimidate
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 intimidate、oppress、bear down on
- 2 suppress (feelings)、restrain (oneself)、hold back
- 3 force oneself to sleep、try hard to close one’s eyes
ข่ม means to bear down on someone or something with pressure, power, or force. It can describe intimidating another person or forcing down one’s own feelings.
intimidate、oppress、bear down on
This sense means to put pressure on someone so they feel inferior, intimidated, or forced to submit.
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อย่าใช้ตำแหน่งมาข่มลูกน้อง yàa cháy tamnɛ̀ŋ maa khòm lûuk nɔ́ɔŋ Don’t use your position to intimidate your subordinates. อย่าใช้ตำแหน่งมาข่มลูกน้อง details
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เจ้านายทำท่าข่มลูกน้อง câw naay tham thâa khòm lûuk nɔ́ɔŋ The boss acted in a way that intimidated the staff. เจ้านายทำท่าข่มลูกน้อง details
suppress (feelings)、restrain (oneself)、hold back
This sense means to force down an emotion or reaction instead of letting it show.
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เขาข่มความโกรธไว้ khǎw khòm khwaam kròot wáy He suppressed his anger. เขาข่มความโกรธไว้ details
force oneself to sleep、try hard to close one’s eyes
In the expression ข่มตา, it means to force oneself to close one’s eyes and try to sleep.
Learning notes
Explanation
ข่ม has the core image of pressing something down with force or pressure. When used with people, it usually sounds negative and suggests intimidation, dominance, or oppression through status, power, voice, or attitude. With emotions, it means forcing a feeling down rather than simply calming down. The expression ข่มตา is a set phrase meaning to force one’s eyes shut and try to sleep.
Usage
You will see ข่ม in situations involving power, hierarchy, intimidation, or emotional restraint. It is common in descriptions of a boss intimidating staff, someone using a loud voice to dominate others, or a person trying hard not to show anger or tears. ข่มตานอน and ข่มตาหลับ are used when someone tries to sleep despite being unable to relax.
Caution
For simply enduring something patiently, อดทน is often more natural. Also, ข่มขืน is a very serious word meaning rape, so it should be learned as a separate fixed word and not treated casually as just another use of ข่ม.
Differences from similar words
1 intimidate synonyms
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กดขี่ is often used for systematic or ongoing oppression. ข่ม can also refer to intimidation through a specific attitude, action, or words.
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บังคับ focuses on forcing someone to do something. ข่ม emphasizes pressure or dominance that makes the other person feel intimidated or inferior.