- past participle of intimidate.
- past tense form of intimidate.
intimidated
Americanadjective
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of intimidated
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.
Vocabulary lists containing intimidated
Speak
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Home of the Brave
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"By Any Other Name"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Intimidated by the specter of Americanization, most French bakers raised the tattered white flag of surrender and lowered the doughy white flag of artisanal standards.
From Washington Post • Dec. 7, 2022
Intimidated by the experience, she and Niemi stopped calling the hotline and started keeping their own records.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 18, 2017
Intimidated by the brazen act, the king acquiesced.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2016
Intimidated by the older boys, most played invisible.
From New York Times • Oct. 19, 2014
Intimidated, Jello pulled his ears together and back.
From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
