intimidated

[in-tim-i-dey-tid]

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.

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• unintimidated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intimidated¹

intimidate ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

She said large, repeated protests could leave sections of the country, particularly religious communities, "feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared to leave their homes".

From BBC

Shedding allies, the LGBTQ+ coalition teeters on the tail of this recent Quiet Pride, with public institutions that have been loudly supportive in the recent past intimidated into whispers, or all-out silence.

From Salon

It’s almost as if the Reds were intimidated even before the game began, as the Dodgers buried them in their thickest pregame brine.

From Los Angeles Times

In recent years a "cancel culture" has emerged in which those with "unacceptable" views can be hounded out of their jobs, no platformed as speakers or intimidated as students.

From BBC

And when people like Kimmel don’t toe the line, they — or the institutions that employ them — should be threatened, intimidated and silenced.

From Salon