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射すくめる (いすくめる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
ichidan verb, transitive verb
pin down with a glare ; freeze with a stare
Describes the act of glaring at someone so intensely that they are rendered unable to move or act. Often used in dramatic or literary contexts involving a powerful, intimidating gaze.
射い
すくめ
られ
、
動うご
け
なく
なっ
た
。
The criminal was frozen by the detective's stare and couldn't move.
Written forms 射い すくめる Usage 95%
Standard kanji spelling; 射 means 'shoot' or 'glare' and すくめる means 'to freeze' or 'to make cower'.
射い 竦すく める Usage 5%
Alternate kanji form using 竦 (to cower, to shrink). Less common than 射すくめる.
Similar words 睨にら む 睨む means to glare or stare at someone with anger or suspicion, but does not necessarily imply rendering them powerless. 射すくめる specifically adds the nuance of immobilizing the target through the intensity of the gaze.
威い 圧あつ する 威圧する means to intimidate or overawe, often through authority or presence. 射すくめる is more specific to a piercing stare that freezes someone on the spot.
Etymology Compound of 射 (い, 'shoot' or 'glare') and すくめる ('to make cower' or 'to freeze'). The verb すくめる is related to 竦む (すくむ, 'to cower' or 'to shrink'). The combination conveys the idea of freezing someone with a piercing look.
