What does intimidating mean?
Intimidating means inspiring fear, awe, or hesitation, usually because someone or something appears powerful, severe, or difficult to challenge. The adjective is common for people whose presence or behavior makes others feel uneasy, as in an intimidating athlete or an intimidating authority. It can also describe tasks and situations, especially when they seem formidable or overwhelming. In neutral contexts, “intimidating challenge” presents difficulty without necessarily implying personal fear, while phrases such as “an intimidating presence” emphasize an impression of strength or control. Derived from the Latin word timidus, meaning timid or fearful, the word literally refers to making another person feel timid.
adjectiveInspiring fear or intimidation; imposing a daunting impression through force, authority, or overwhelming qualities.
- Causing fear or intimidation, especially through perceived strength, authority, or severity.
- So formidable or daunting that it discourages approach or challenge.
"The defending champion's intimidating presence unsettled the younger players before the match."
"The new manager's calm authority was intimidating, but his openness soon put the team at ease."
"The climb to the summit presented an intimidating challenge even to experienced climbers."
Intimidating literally means making someone feel timid.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does intimidating come from?
Intimidating derives from the Latin timidus, meaning timid or fearful, through the verb intimidare, meaning to make timid or frighten. English adopted the family in the 17th century, initially in the sense of making afraid or rendering timid. Related forms include timid, timidity, timor, and timorous, which reflect the same Latin root associated with fear and apprehension.
Related word forms
How intimidating is actually used
Usually describes a person, force, situation, or prospect. It can be neutral when referring to difficulty or challenge, but often conveys an atmosphere of fear or overbearing power.
Easily confused with intimidating
Intimidating describes something that causes fear or awe, whereas intimidated describes a person who feels afraid or overawed.