intimidating

[ in-tim-i-dey-ting ]

adjective

1. Sometimes in·tim·i·da·to·ry []. intended to frighten someone or to force or stop someone’s action through fear:

   We will not be sucked in to your macho agenda by intimidating threats of violence or seductive promises of power.

2. causing timidity, hesitancy, or anxiety, especially because of difficulty or risk; daunting:

   The day-to-day operations of the healthcare environment can be overwhelming and intimidating to the point of paralysis.

3. causing someone to feel overawed or cowed, as through force of personality or superior display of wealth, talent, rank, etc.:

   All the others had gone to Harvard or Yale, and I was just a country hick; it was intimidating, for sure.

Other Words From

• un·in·tim·i·dat·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intimidating¹

intimidat(e) ( def ) + -ing ²( def )

Example Sentences

Nocera, 50, who owns a local auto repair shop, said that he was dropping off his son to vote, and that he didn’t intend to intimidate anyone.

From ProPublica

Attention from Honolulu policeFacing pressure from the lawsuit, the Kealohas devised a countermeasure to intimidate and discredit Katherine’s uncle, Silvert said.

From Washington Post

If the large sizes of typical slow cookers are intimidating for you, or if you’re mostly cooking for just one or two people, these mini cookers are a fabulous start so you don’t end up eating the same soup forever.

From Popular-Science

The illogic of such a suggestion, Mengedoht said, can get lost on someone who is scared and intimidated.

From Washington Post

She and I conducted original research published earlier this year that examined nearly 2,500 tweets directed toward politicians across race, gender and party lines, analyzing for attempts to discredit, intimidate or shame.

From Ozy

The pulps brought new readers to serious fiction, making it less intimidating with alluring art and low prices.

From The Daily Beast

The mother, Emily Kruse, was charged with obstructing justice and intimidating a witness.

From The Daily Beast

Thanksgiving may be about family, but that comes with an intimidating collection of double-edged swords.

From The Daily Beast

She lacked “connections,” and as a woman, faced “a very intimidating situation.”

From The Daily Beast

Eventually, Scott began stopping by the offices and intimidating editors into covering his music.

From The Daily Beast

The tragedy of existence presented itself in its true aspect, as noble and majestic and intimidating.

From Project Gutenberg

As to intimidating me, or changing my course, the thing cannot be done.

From Project Gutenberg

As Mrs. Freke saw no other chance left of gaining her point with Belinda, she tried what intimidating her would do.

From Project Gutenberg

The Mohicans boldly sent back the intimidating yell of their enemies, who raised a shout of savage triumph at the fall of Gamut.

From Project Gutenberg

Rogers saw that awe of the great financier and his intimidating statments had fairly stampeded his clients.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aggressive
• frightening
• terrifying