1
as in terrifying
causing fear
the school's seniors faced the intimidating prospect of the college entrance exams
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
an intimidating bodyguard keeping the fans away from the pop star
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bullying
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats
refusing to be intimidated by the manager's harsh stare, I demanded my money back
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intimidating
Staff Author, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
August 23 – September 22 Bringing order to an intimidating realm is possible at this time.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard from a script by Bush, Zootopia 2 reunites the optimistic young rabbit Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and sly red fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), who are newly partnered on the police force overseen by the intimidating cape buffalo Chief Bogo (Idris Elba).
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for intimidating
Adjective
Gibson’s simple sorting method also made the process less intimidating.
—Staff Author, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
August 23 – September 22 Bringing order to an intimidating realm is possible at this time.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
Toni Rice, 44, pleaded guilty to charges of criminal mischief, tampering with physical evidence, intimidating a participant in the legal process and tampering with a witness, as well as misdemeanor charges of failing to stop and render aid, falsely reporting an incident and official misconduct.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard from a script by Bush, Zootopia 2 reunites the optimistic young rabbit Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and sly red fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), who are newly partnered on the police force overseen by the intimidating cape buffalo Chief Bogo (Idris Elba).
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for intimidating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimidating
Adjective
-
Lisa Piper stood on her back deck and took video of a terrifying scene that played out on the other side of frozen Union Lake as a funnel cloud formed and then dropped toward the ground Friday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Lisa Piper stood on her back deck and took video of a terrifying scene that played out on the other side of frozen Union Lake as a funnel cloud formed and then dropped toward the ground.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
As Woody Harrelson detailed Harrison Ford's accomplishments from the Actors Awards stage, the famously gruff actor seemed to squirm in his seat, somehow uncomfortable with praise even at the age of 83.—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
2 Mar. 2026
-
While not gruff or unfriendly, the serious New York restaurateur carries a distinct tone of getting down to business, even when casually chatting about how the show has changed over time.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Johnson said the freshman was a mismatch nightmare, bullying smaller guards and utilizing his quickness against larger forwards.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Safety for transportation of our children; safety from bullying, mental health issues; and safety from vaping, drug and alcohol use on school property.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And for Slusser, born and raised as a Christian in Texas, just a year and a half living in Northern California had taken a frightening toll.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Protests that kind of were merging toward violence or at least frightening to our diplomats.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But Ferrari, once Mercedes’ fiercest F1 rival before Red Bull took over in that role at the start of the 2020s, threatened to crash the party once the lights went out.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
But the spring battles for starting jobs look fierce; Warren Roberson, Kade Phillips, Kobe Black and Wardell Mack join Mascoe as cornerbacks that could make a claim on a starting job while safeties Jordon Johnson-Rubell and Zelus Hicks each could use a strong spring to make their case.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Among them is an allegation that Live Nation threatens to retaliate against venues that work with rivals, allegedly scaring those venues into complying.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
4 Mar. 2026
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The growing conflict is also drawing concern on the other side of the Arabian Peninsula, scaring away carriers that had sought to make a more regular return to the Suez Canal.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Combined with their high reproduction rate, containment is a formidable challenge for state wildlife managers.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The task was formidable, but not because of Moy Sing’s lack of wealth or social prominence.—
Charlotte Brooks,
Big Think,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a stern warning to the Iranians after an Iranian missile was launched at Turkey and was shot down by NATO defense forces.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Ye allegedly demanded in a stern voice mimicked on the stand by Holding.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intimidating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimidating. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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