The meaning of INTIMIDATE is to make timid or fearful : frighten; especially : to compel or deter by or as if by threats. How to use intimidate in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Intimidate . The adjective ' intimidating ' has its roots in the Latin word 'intimidare,' which is a combination of 'in,' meaning 'into,' and 'timidus,' meaning 'fearful' or 'timid.' In its original Latin form, it meant to make someone fearful or to fill them with apprehension. Anyone or anything that is fearsome, daunting, or terrifying could be called intimidating. Looking at a huge list of vocabulary words is intimidating. Any difficult job can be intimidating. Lots of people find public speaking intimidating. Intimidating definition: Sometimes intimidatory intended to frighten someone or to force or stop someone’s action through fear.. See examples of INTIMIDATING used in a sentence.