5 syllables: in, ti, mi, da, ted. Stress on ti.
in-TIM-id-ay-tid
/ˌɪˈntɪmɪˌdeɪtɪd/
intimidated is pronounced in-TIM-id-ay-tid (/ˌɪˈntɪmɪˌdeɪtɪd/). It has five syllables (in-ti-mi-da-ted), with the stress on "ti". Intimidated means feeling frightened or overawed, often because one perceives a threat or the power of someone else. It can also describe a situation that makes someone feel small or hesitant. The word conveys an emotional state tied to fear, coercion, or pressure, typically resulting in withdrawn or compliant behavior.
Intimidated means feeling frightened or overawed, often because one perceives a threat or the power of someone else. It can also describe a situation that makes someone feel small or hesitant. The word conveys an emotional state tied to fear, coercion, or pressure, typically resulting in withdrawn or compliant behavior.
"She felt intimidated by the stern interview panel despite her qualifications."
"The towering mountain loomed over the camp, making the hikers feel small and intimidated."
"He spoke loudly and domineeringly, which left the room feeling intimidated."
US/UK AU: /ɪnˈtɪmɪˌdeɪtɪd/. Break it as in-TIM-i-dated? Actually 'intimidated' rhymes with 'mitigated' no. Keep: in-TIM-i-day-ted.
Mistakes: stressing the wrong syllable (in-TIM-i-dat-ed). Confusing the 'ti' as 'tee' vs 'tim'. Also dropping the final 'ed' as 'intimidate' or pronouncing as 'intimad' with /æ/. Correction: keep /ˈtɪm/ vowel as in 'tim' and add /deɪtɪd/.
US/UK/AU: all share /ɪnˈtɪmɪˌdeɪtɪd/ with rhoticity affecting r-coloration? Not applicable. UK non-rhotic; US rhotic in other words? This word doesn't have r. Differences mainly in the precise vowel quality and the flapping of t? In US, 't' can be a voiced tap [ɾ] in some contexts, but in this word, 'ti' is /tɪ/; the 't' is generally a clear /t/. UK sometimes uses a glottal stop for /t/ in some positions. AU similar to US with slight vowel shift.
Because of the sequence ti-mi-da-ted with multiple similar vowels and a stressed syllable, plus the /deɪ/ diphthong in the third/fourth syllable. The combination of /ˌ/ and /ɪ/ vowels in quick succession challenges clarity and fluency. Pay attention to the 'deɪ' diphthong and the final /tɪd/ cluster.
The answer: the consonant cluster after the stressed syllable /mɪ/ followed by /deɪ/ introduces a tricky transition from /m/ to /d/ and the /eɪ/ vowel; maintain a crisp /t/ release before the /ɪd/.
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Intimidated comes from the verb intimidate, which derives from the Latin intimidare, formed from in- (toward, into) + timere (to fear). The Latin root timere evolves into medieval Latin intimidare meaning to frighten or deter. In English, intimidate appeared in the 15th–16th centuries, initially meaning to frighten or deter by threats or force. Over time, the suffix -ed attaches to form the past participle and past tense intimidated, used as an adjective or as part of verb phrases (was intimidated, feeling intimidated). The semantic shift centers on power dynamics and coercive pressure, with modern usage often referring to psychological rather than physical intimidation, such as social or professional contexts that induce fear or hesitation.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "intimidated" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "intimidated" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "intimidated"
-ted sounds
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