intimidating adj : discouraging through fear [syn: daunting]

Intimidate \In*tim"i*date\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Intimidated; p. pr. & vb. n. Intimidating.] [LL. intimidatus, p. p. of intimidare to frighten; pref. in- in + timidus fearful, timid: cf. F. intimider. See Timid.] To make timid or fearful; to inspire of affect with fear; to deter, as by threats; to dishearten; to abash. Now guilt, once harbored in the conscious breast, Intimidates the brave, degrades the great. --Johnson. Syn: To dishearten; dispirit; abash; deter; frighten; terrify; daunt; cow.

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Intimidation (also called cowing) is intentional behavior "which would cause a person of ordinary sensibilities" fear of injury or harm. It's not necessary to prove that the behavior was so violent as to cause terror or that the victim was actually frightened.

Criminal threatening (or threatening behavior) is the crime of intentionally or knowingly putting another person in fear of imminent bodily injury. "Threat of harm generally involves a perception of injury...physical or mental damage...act or instance of injury, or a material and detriment or loss to a person."

Threatening behaviours may be conceptualized as a maladaptive outgrowth of normal competitive urge for interrelational dominance generally seen in animals. Alternatively, intimidation may result from the type of society in which individuals are socialized, as human beings are generally reluctant to engage in confrontation or threaten violence.

• Feds accuse Jeremy Johnson of intimidating witnesses
  Feds accuse Jeremy Johnson of intimidating witnesses by Tom Harvey The Salt Lake Tribune Published May 13, 2013 09:26PM MDT Jeremy Johnson is intimidating witnesses and trying to drag John Swallow into a civil lawsuit to which Utah’s embattled attorney general apparently has no connection, prosecutors pursuing criminal charges against the St. George businessman Read more on this news related to 'Intimidating'
• Prep boys’ tennis: East features intimidating net presence
  Prep boys’ tennis: East features intimidating net presence by Ben Raskin Special To The Tribune Published May 15, 2013 02:45PM MDT The twin towers guarding the net for East’s No. 1 doubles team could pass for brothers. At 6 foot 3 apiece, they have a wing span that suffocates opponents. They provide a wall of racquets that stifles returned shots and a height t Read more on this news related to 'Intimidating'
• Reyer: How to deal with an intimidating co-worker
  Q: I work with someone who is very intimidating. She isn’t my boss, but she leads some projects I’m involved with. I find that I have trouble speaking my mind and behaving with confidence even though I’m the one with expertise. How do I handle this? Read more on this news related to 'Intimidating'