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intimidatory

intimidatory

1 8.1
To make someone feel afraid or less confident
  • adjective
  • /ɪnˈtɪmɪˌdeɪtɔri/
translation icon : intimidatorio
  • His intimidatory behavior discouraged others from sharing their opinions in the meeting.

Examples

  • Beyond the hurt and insult involved, I have also found that the conduct was reasonably likely to have an intimidatory effect on some fair-skinned Aboriginal people, and in particular young Aboriginal persons or others with vulnerability in relation to their identity.

    Blog text (4)
  • I'm interested in how the N-word can be used as an intensifier for both comedic and intimidatory effect, or in some cases as a rhythmic flourish to hit a particular flow.

  • Pure intimidatory tactics.

    Blog text (32)
  • After the debate, many were grateful that I had not bowed down to the intimidatory tactics of the homosexual community and been their voice.

    Blog text (9)
  • The teacher's intimidatory tone made the students feel anxious during the exam.

  • The intimidatory gestures of the security guard made the customers think twice about causing trouble.

Synonyms

frightening
vsintimidatory
287 3.0

Causing someone to feel afraid

is meant to frighten or lower confidence deliberately, not just cause fear
intimidating
vsintimidatory
93 5.3

Making someone feel afraid, nervous, or less confident

is specifically intended to frighten or undermine someone's confidence
coercive
vsintimidatory
  • Offensive
26 7.6

Using force or threats to make someone do something

focuses on frightening or undermining confidence rather than directly forcing action
menacing
vsintimidatory
1 5.0

Giving the feeling that something dangerous may happen

focuses on intention to frighten or weaken confidence rather than mere danger hint
dissuasive
vsintimidatory
  • Formal
1 8.7

Making someone less likely to do something by showing bad results

is intended to frighten or make someone feel less confident, not only discourage
minatory
vsintimidatory
  • Formal
9.9

That makes people feel afraid

aims to frighten or reduce confidence rather than only state a threat
bullying
vsintimidatory
  • Offensive
3.7

Being loud and aggressive to frighten others

targets frightening or reducing confidence even without repeated domineering acts

Antonyms

73 1.9

Giving someone support or hope so they feel more confident

1 4.1

A rise of land, water, or air to a higher level

How Intimidating

terrifying
209 5.3
menacing
1 5.0
threatening
65 3.6
intimidatory
1 8.1

Surface Forms

intimidatory positive

Morphology

intimidatory = intimidate (transparent) = intimidate + atory

Formed directly from the verb 'intimidate' with a standard adjectival suffix, so the meaning 'serving to intimidate' is directly derivable.

Etymology

The word intimidatory comes from the verb intimidate, which shares a root with the English word timid and originally meant 'to fear'. So intimidatory means 'intended to frighten, threaten, or make someone feel less confident'.