intimidated
An intimidated person feels nervous or fearful around someone else, often because they feel they can't stand up for themselves.
When we say that someone's feeling intimidated, it usually means they're not comfortable being around another person who seems stronger, more powerful, or more confident. This could be a boss at work, a teacher in class, or even a friend who's being really loud and obnoxious. The person might feel like they don't want to argue or disagree with this other person because they think they'll get hurt or rejected. It can also happen when someone's trying something new and feels like they're not good enough – like taking a test or giving a presentation in front of an audience. In these situations, the word "intimidated" helps us understand why someone might be hesitant or quiet instead of speaking up for themselves.
How common is "intimidated"?
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
verb
To make timid or afraid; to cause to feel fear or nervousness; to deter, especially by threats of violence
Example: He's trying to intimidate you. If you ignore him, hopefully he'll stop.
adjective
Subjected to intimidation.
Real examples of "intimidated" in context
