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

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

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

The growth, fans say, reflects a reality about many college kids: They’re intimidated by real-life courtship and overwhelmed by the endless scroll of dating apps.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 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

“I was intimidated as I could possibly be,” he says over lattes at a Midtown Manhattan hotel restaurant, just before Hunter is set to join our conversation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2026

“The nerve of that Swanburne woman! I refuse to be intimidated by the ghost of some long-dead headmistress,” she said.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood