intimidating

American  

[in-tim-i-dey-ting] / ɪnˈtɪm ɪˌdeɪ tɪŋ /

adjective

1. Sometimes intimidatory 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• unintimidating
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of intimidating

intimidat(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Explanation

Someone or something that causes fear is intimidating. Bullies are intimidating. Anyone or anything that is fearsome, daunting, or terrifying could be called intimidating. Looking at a huge list of vocabulary words is intimidating. Any difficult job can be intimidating. Lots of people find public speaking intimidating. Climbing into the mouth of a volcano and trying to take a photograph for National Geographic would be extremely intimidating, because you could die, and if you don't, what if your pictures aren't that good?

Example Sentences

Norfolk Police earlier said a man was arrested shortly after 19:30 BST on Wednesday after officers received a report of a man a behaving in an intimidating manner in Wolferton.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

A spokesman said the mayor is “deeply opposed” to the Israel expo, and failing to speak out against those intimidating a Jewish congregation gives tacit approval.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Neither side thought that clause would ever be triggered; Lesch, a big, intimidating right-hander who threw bullets from behind Coke-bottle eyeglasses, wasn’t headed to a classroom, he was going to Dodger Stadium.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

Among the many quotes Ross left with his audience is one that dismantles intimidating concepts about natural ability, the kind of artistic gatekeeping we often impose on ourselves.

From Salon • May 2, 2026

When the train pulled into Chicago’s Illinois Central station, passengers were disgorged into the hustle and bustle of a city that was exciting but also immensely intimidating.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield

Related Words

• aggressive
• frightening
• terrifying