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
Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 11 May 2026
Facing one of the state’s top girls lacrosse teams is always an intimidating challenge.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026
Kristine Sorensen, CBS News, 22 May 2026
As intimidating as his defense is, he can be beaten in space when drivers can get a bump into an overextended Wembanyama, or even get under Wembanyama to get by him.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for intimidating
Adjective
Restitution can be a very intimidating process, for which there are very few ways to find out where to start, who to talk to.
—Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 11 May 2026
Facing one of the state’s top girls lacrosse teams is always an intimidating challenge.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026
Verb
Art can be inspiring, educational, beautiful, shocking, confusing, and so many more things, but if art is also intimidating, Bishop-Root suggests letting your kids be the guide.
—Kristine Sorensen, CBS News, 22 May 2026
As intimidating as his defense is, he can be beaten in space when drivers can get a bump into an overextended Wembanyama, or even get under Wembanyama to get by him.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for intimidating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimidating
Adjective
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Inside the building, a terrifying hourslong ordeal was just beginning for those who couldn’t get out.—
Maria Aguilar Prieto,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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Some things in life are fundamentally different in ways that no one ever realizes ahead of time, and the amazing feeling of G-forces in my butt, very like flying on the ground, was at once a 10/10 gratifying and terrifying experience.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Platner, a gruff 41-year-old Marine Corps veteran, is trying to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins with a platform of economic populism, universal health care, labor protections, and anti-interventionism.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
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With his gruff voice, beard and sweatshirts-instead-of-suits, Platner cuts the figure of a blue-collar Mainer.—
Caroline McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
Verb
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August is a violent, domineering, bullying boss who starves and beats the animals in his circus and doesn’t treat his human workers much better.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2026
-
Keefer has emphasized student achievement and school safety, pointing to his support for programs focused on bullying prevention, suicide prevention and substance-use prevention as a Trustee.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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The frightening encounter began several years ago when her daughter texted her from school complaining of pain just above her belly button.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
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Vampires, deadly disasters, and creeps are among those who help these frightening flicks scare the hell out of audiences.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
Adjective
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What all present did expect was a fierce contest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
Bagnulo noted that the competition will be fierce.—
Andrew McNicol,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Verb
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New luxury tax thresholds were introduced, imposing punitive roster-building restrictions on big spenders, scaring teams away from keeping their championship cores intact.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
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Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment My medium skin tone is prone to dark spots, but the Sunday Riley Good Genes elixir combats scaring.—
Ruby McAuliffe,
InStyle,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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The Cuban military, once a formidable expeditionary force during Cold War campaigns in Africa, now struggles with chronic fuel shortages, aging equipment, limited mobility and poor readiness, Pérez said.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
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The elder Jackson, one of Chicago’s most famous civil rights icons, died in February and left his formidable organization to his son Yusef.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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Firth is chilling, pushing his stern, fiercely intelligent demeanor in increasingly sinister directions and bringing nuance and gravity to the lengths Scanlon will go to fulfill his mandate, whatever the cost.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2026
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These adults are headed by Kevin Earley, who early on makes for a starchy rather than stern Captain.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intimidating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimidating. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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