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. )

Example Sentences

With dour, even gloomy-looking, early 20th Century buildings surrounded by busy, drab roads and large, intimidating metal gates, it has a very discreet feel.

From BBC

The author notes that military experts view the ships as unsuited to current and emerging strategic threats, and that the program appears designed primarily to create an intimidating appearance rather than address genuine naval challenges.

From Los Angeles Times

No matter, two of these teams will be playoff bound by next week—even if they’re hardly as intimidating as the rest of the teams vying to win the Super Bowl.

From The Wall Street Journal

The scale of that burning is intimidating, but Hansen and his colleagues say there are several ways to make progress.

From Science Daily

Yes, it’s ideal to keep at least three months’ of expenses in an emergency fund, but don’t abandon saving altogether if that seems like an intimidating target.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• aggressive
• frightening
• terrifying