intimidating
[ in-tim-i-dey-ting ]
/ ɪnˈtɪm ɪˌdeɪ tɪŋ /
Save This Word!
adjective
Sometimes in·tim·i·da·to·ry [in-tim-i-duh-tawr-ee] /ɪnˈtɪm ɪ dəˌtɔr i/ . intended to frighten someone or to force or stop someone’s action through fear: We will not be sucked in to your macho agenda by intimidating threats of violence or seductive promises of power.
causing timidity, hesitancy, or anxiety, especially because of difficulty or risk; daunting: The day-to-day operations of the healthcare environment can be overwhelming and intimidating to the point of paralysis.
causing someone to feel overawed or cowed, as through force of personality or superior display of wealth, talent, rank, etc.: All the others had gone to Harvard or Yale, and I was just a country hick; it was intimidating, for sure.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of intimidating
OTHER WORDS FROM intimidating
un·in·tim·i·dat·ing, adjectiveWords nearby intimidating
intimation, Intimations of Immortality, intime, intimidate, intimidated, intimidating, intimidation, intimist, intinction, intine, intitle
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023