Intimidating
/ɪnˈtɪmɪˌdeɪtɪŋ/
adjectiveB2present participle (used as adjective)
Definition
Intimidating describes something or someone that causes fear or nervousness in others. It often happens when a person, situation, or object looks strong, serious, or difficult to face. This feeling can make people feel small or unsure about themselves.
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⚡ See It in Action
Causing fear or nervousness because of power or size
- •The large dog looked intimidating to the small children.
- •The boss’s serious tone was intimidating for the new employees.
- •The mountain’s steep path was intimidating for the beginner hikers.
Making someone feel less confident or scared in a situation
- •The difficult exam was intimidating, but she studied hard and passed.
- •Speaking in front of a big audience can be intimidating for many people.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "intimidating" like "scary," but more about making you feel nervous or less confident, not always about danger.
- ✓Picture a big, tall person standing very close with a serious face—that feeling of wanting to step back is intimidating.
- ✓It's the feeling you get before an important test or meeting where you doubt yourself.
- ✓Sounds like "in-TIM-i-dating" → imagine someone TIMing you with a stopwatch while you try to do something hard, making you nervous.
- ✓Remember a strict teacher or coach who looks serious and makes you feel you must do your best or you might be in trouble.
- ✓NOT like "friendly" (makes you feel comfortable), "intimidating" makes you feel worried or small.
- ✓NOT like "dangerous" (can hurt you physically), "intimidating" is more about feelings of fear or nervousness inside.
- ✓NOT like "challenging" (makes you want to try), "intimidating" can stop you from trying because you feel scared.
- ✓NOT like "annoying" (makes you upset), "intimidating" makes you feel afraid or less confident.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Frightening: causing fear (Use when the focus is more on fear than just nervousness)
- •Threatening: seeming likely to cause harm or trouble (Use when there is a clear danger or risk)
- •Daunting: making you feel nervous about something difficult (Use when emphasizing difficulty and nervousness)
- •Overwhelming: too much to handle (Use when something feels too big or strong to manage)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "in-" (into, on) + root "timid" (fearful, shy) + suffix "-ating" (forms adjective from verb)
- •Etymology: from Latin "intimidare" meaning "to frighten or scare"
- •Historical development: Originally used to mean causing fear or making someone timid; now often means making someone feel nervous or less confident
- •Modern usage: Used to describe people, situations, or things that make others feel nervous, scared, or less sure of themselves
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Can something be intimidating but still be a positive challenge? How do you feel in those situations?
•How do people show they are intimidating without using words or actions?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The tall, serious teacher had an intimidating ___ on the new students' confidence.
2.She felt intimidated because the task was too ___ and difficult for her experience.
3.Unlike friendly smiles, his cold stare was clearly ___ and made others nervous.
4.When the boss spoke loudly, it was ___ enough to make everyone listen carefully.
5.The mountain looked intimidating, but after training, the hikers felt more ___ to climb it.
6.Public speaking can be intimidating, but practice helps you feel less ___.
7.The intimidating presence of the security guard made the visitors ___ to break any rules.