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

"Multiple foreign regimes are monitoring, harassing and intimidating members of our diaspora communities," he said.

From Barron's

She added: "We are providing record funding for security at synagogues, Jewish schools and community centres. I will go further to strengthen police powers so they can crack down on intimidating protests."

From BBC

The world was so intimidatingly large, but a single book had connected it for him.

From Literature

The 39-year-old newsreader and journalist has now spoken about the impact of the "intrusive and intimidating" behaviour that left her feeling terrified.

From BBC

It comes after senior leaders at 70 universities attended a briefing with MI5 director general Sir Ken McCallum to discuss what interference might look like, such as censoring research and intimidating staff.

From BBC

Related Words

• aggressive
• frightening
• terrifying