intimidating
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.
Origin of intimidating
1Other words from intimidating
- un·in·tim·i·dat·ing, adjective
Words Nearby intimidating
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use intimidating in a sentence
Nocera, 50, who owns a local auto repair shop, said that he was dropping off his son to vote, and that he didn’t intend to intimidate anyone.
Pistols, a Hearse and Trucks Playing Chicken: Why Some Voters Felt Harassed and Intimidated at the Polls | by Adriana Gallardo, Maryam Jameel and Ryan McCarthy | December 4, 2020 | ProPublicaAttention from Honolulu policeFacing pressure from the lawsuit, the Kealohas devised a countermeasure to intimidate and discredit Katherine’s uncle, Silvert said.
A prosecutor and police chief were adored in their community. Then their scheme unraveled. | Kim Bellware | December 3, 2020 | Washington PostIf the large sizes of typical slow cookers are intimidating for you, or if you’re mostly cooking for just one or two people, these mini cookers are a fabulous start so you don’t end up eating the same soup forever.
Gifts for people who are learning how to cook | Sara Kiley Watson | November 24, 2020 | Popular-ScienceThe illogic of such a suggestion, Mengedoht said, can get lost on someone who is scared and intimidated.
Phony police officers scam $1.5 million from Maryland residents | Dan Morse | October 29, 2020 | Washington PostShe and I conducted original research published earlier this year that examined nearly 2,500 tweets directed toward politicians across race, gender and party lines, analyzing for attempts to discredit, intimidate or shame.
The Greatest Threat to Democracy Might Not Be What You Expect | Shaan Merchant | October 28, 2020 | Ozy
The pulps brought new readers to serious fiction, making it less intimidating with alluring art and low prices.
The mother, Emily Kruse, was charged with obstructing justice and intimidating a witness.
Thanksgiving may be about family, but that comes with an intimidating collection of double-edged swords.
She lacked “connections,” and as a woman, faced “a very intimidating situation.”
Cameroonian Women Fighting Sexism With Tourism | Abena Agyeman-Fisher | November 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTEventually, Scott began stopping by the offices and intimidating editors into covering his music.
It Was All a Dream: Drama, Bullshit, and the Rebirth of The Source Magazine | Alex Suskind | October 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe tragedy of existence presented itself in its true aspect, as noble and majestic and intimidating.
Hilda Lessways | Arnold BennettAs to intimidating me, or changing my course, the thing cannot be done.
American Sketches | Charles WhibleyAs Mrs. Freke saw no other chance left of gaining her point with Belinda, she tried what intimidating her would do.
Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10) | Maria EdgeworthThe Mohicans boldly sent back the intimidating yell of their enemies, who raised a shout of savage triumph at the fall of Gamut.
The Last of the Mohicans | James Fenimore CooperRogers saw that awe of the great financier and his intimidating statments had fairly stampeded his clients.
To Him That Hath | Leroy Scott
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