intimidated

American  

[in-tim-i-dey-tid] / ɪnˈtɪm ɪˌdeɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. made afraid; frightened, especially by the threats or aggression of another.

   The policy, which applies to all police officers, spells out special measures to identify and protect vulnerable and intimidated witnesses.

2. timid or anxious, especially at the prospect of difficulty or risk; daunted.

   Even after the intensive six-week workshop we all attended, I felt somewhat intimidated given the scope of the task before me.

3. overawed or cowed, as through force of personality or by superior display of wealth, talent, rank, etc..

   I am not from a posh background, and felt very intimidated being in the House of Lords at Westminster.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of intimidate.

Other Word Forms

• unintimidated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of intimidated

intimidate ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Explanation

When a person has been threatened and made to feel timid, he becomes intimidated. You might be intimidated by a large barking dog, a mean boss, or a pair of skinny jeans you'd love to fit into. The adjective intimidated is derived from the similarly spelled Latin intimidare, meaning “to frighten." Notice within both the English adjective and Latin root another adjective timid, “fearful.” That should help you remember the meaning. Maya Angelou said, “Education helps one cease being intimidated by strange situations.” When you are familiar with something, it becomes less frightful. Synonyms for intimidated include afraid and daunted.

Example Sentences

“People may be intimidated to get up on a stage or at a coffee shop, but here it’s right on street level.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

What’s Next: Anthropic has said it won’t be intimidated to change its position.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

“People are sometimes intimidated by short ribs because they’re kind of tough, but it’s really just time and liquid that does all the work for you,” Matijevich says.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

"We will not be intimidated by big tech. On behalf of Australian parents, we will stand firm," she told parliament in November.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

Most teams felt intimidated playing Permian because of all the tradition and its history of winning.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger