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intimidating

   Also found in: Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
in·tim·i·date  (n-tm-dt)
tr.v. in·tim·i·dat·ed, in·tim·i·dat·ing, in·tim·i·dates
1. To make timid; fill with fear.
2. To coerce or inhibit by or as if by threats.

[Medieval Latin intimidre, intimidt- : Latin in-, causative pref.; see in-2 + Latin timidus, timid; see timid.]

in·timi·dating·ly adv.
in·timi·dation n.
in·timi·dator n.
Synonyms: intimidate, browbeat, bulldoze, cow2, bully1, bludgeon
These verbs all mean to frighten into submission, compliance, or acquiescence. Intimidate implies the presence or operation of a fear-inspiring force: "It [atomic energy] may intimidate the human race into bringing order into its international affairs" Albert Einstein.
Browbeat suggests the persistent application of highhanded, disdainful, or imperious tactics: browbeating a witness.
Bulldoze connotes the leveling of all spirit of opposition: was bulldozed into hiring an unacceptable candidate.
Cow implies bringing out an abject state of timorousness and often demoralization: a dog that was cowed by abuse.
To bully is to intimidate through blustering, domineering, or threatening behavior: workers who were bullied into accepting a poor contract.
Bludgeon suggests the use of grossly aggressive or combative methods: had to be bludgeoned into fulfilling his duties.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.intimidating - discouraging through fear
discouraging - depriving of confidence or hope or enthusiasm and hence often deterring action; "where never is heard a discouraging word"
Translations

intimidating [ɪnˈtɪmɪdeɪtɪŋ] adjintimidant(e)


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Therefore the hair stood up on end along his back and his lips wrinkled weakly in an attempt at a ferocious and intimidating snarl.
She stamped her foot at him to be gone, and uttered a harsh and intimidating cry.
The ferocity of their fierce faces was accentuated by the upturned, bristling tiger cat's teeth which protruded from every ear; while the long feathers of the Argus pheasant waving from their war-caps, the brilliant colors of their war-coats trimmed with the black and white feathers of the hornbill, and the strange devices upon their gaudy shields but added to the savagery of their appearance as they danced and howled, menacing and intimidating, in the path of the charging foe.
 
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