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

So the Lakers are facing long odds to win this series, but they say they aren’t intimidated heading into Game 1 on Tuesday night.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2026

Speaking after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green on Wednesday, the prime minister said the chant, based on an Arabic word for uprising, had left Jews feeling "scared, intimidated, wondering if they belong".

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Estrosi, who is a vocal supporter of Israel and whose wife is Jewish, denounced the act as despicable and said he wouldn’t be intimidated.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

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

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

A roomful of NBA stars, young and on top of the world, might have intimidated anyone, let alone Reggie, a good basketball player himself, who aspired to coach and lead players.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel