intimidating
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
making you feel nervous or worried because something is very big, difficult, or powerful.
inducing fear or a loss of confidence through an appearance of superior strength, size, or difficulty.
Simple“The huge library was a bit intimidating for a new student on their first day.”
In context“The prospect of presenting her research to a panel of Nobel laureates was deeply intimidating, despite her years of preparation.”
PitfallI felt very intimidating when I walked into the interview. I felt very intimidated when I walked into the interview.Use 'intimidating' to describe the thing that causes the fear (the interview) and 'intimidated' to describe how you feel.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
describing a person who acts in a way that makes others feel scared or small.
characterised by a manner or physical presence that suggests a threat or a desire to dominate others.
Simple“He was a tall man with a very intimidating voice that made everyone go quiet.”
In context“The interrogator maintained an intimidating silence, leaning forward just enough to make the suspect feel physically crowded.”
Synonyms
“A private conversation in a familiar place can make the conversation feel less intimidating, giving them the space to open up without putting them on the spot.”
“At her mildest she’s irritated and unreasonable, at her worst violent and intimidating.”