intimidating 1 of 2

adjective

in-ˈti-mə-ˌdā-tiŋ How to pronounce intimidating (audio)
Definition of intimidatingnext
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

intimidating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of intimidate
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of intimidating
Adjective
Erling Haaland stands at 6 feet, 5 inches, an intimidating force who can make fellow soccer players look tiny in stature and talent. — Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 13 July 2026 Having the carpool piece in place makes the new school year feel far less intimidating. — Melissa Willets, Parents, 6 July 2026
Verb
Jay Harris talks with Stu James about the intimidating privilege of playing against Lionel Messi. — The Athletic, New York Times, 4 July 2026 Where to Take a Worn Flag The process can be intimidating for non-military folks, so most local VFWs, American Legion Posts, Woodmen Life chapters, and Scout BSA locations have boxes that serve as drop-off points. — Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for intimidating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimidating
  1. terrifying
  2. gruff
  3. bullying
  4. frightening
  5. fierce
  6. scaring
  7. formidable
  8. stern
Adjective
  • But getting that fissile material off the launchpad safely remains a terrifying engineering hurdle.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
  • After Weyland-Yutani’s spaceship collides with Prodigy City, Wendy and the other hybrids encounter mysterious life forms more terrifying than anyone could have ever imagined.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 9 July 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • His deep voice could command a room, and voters were drawn to his gruff populism and focus on economic inequality.
    — Kimberlee Kruesi, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Abraham Lincoln furiously scribbled in Springfield on June 27, 1858, firing off a gruff note to the editor-in-chief of the Chicago Press & Tribune, then in business for only 11 years.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026
Definition of gruff
Verb
  • This legislation helps our state meet current challenges and ensures bullying via AI is addressed in the school code.
    — Ben Szalinski, CBS News, 26 June 2026
  • Muslim students continue to report the highest rates of bullying among religious groups in the country.
    — Tazheen Nizam, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2026
Definition of bullying
Adjective
  • Obviously there’s day to day stuff but to me, that’s just another frightening thing about being trapped in a system.
    — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Cortlandt Koerwitz/Instagram A family's Fourth of July outing took a frightening turn when a bear charged at a father outside his Lake Tahoe vacation home after startling his daughters.
    — Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • Its young people are increasingly educated and ambitious but many are frustrated over fierce competition for limited jobs.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • The Pride and Angel City have established a fierce rivalry in their short history.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2026
Definition of fierce
Verb
  • Maybe two or three groups of hoaxers out there at once, bumping into each other in the dark and scaring the scales off one another.
    — Star-Telegram staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
  • There are multiple songs that could be (and were) covered by the Jackson 5 without scaring the teenyboppers, but Stone’s musical and lyrical depth is right there in the band’s most accessible album.
    — Al Shipley, SPIN, 7 July 2026
Definition of scaring
Adjective
  • England faces a formidable challenge against Mexico in the FIFA World Cup knockout round, playing at Estadio Azteca, 7,220 feet above sea level.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • However, there is arguably no matchup currently more daunting than a game against this formidable France side.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of formidable
Adjective
  • These new images, however, revealed that Quest is in worse condition than previously thought, with fishing nets, floats, and other bottom-trawling gear snagged on the stern and much of the starboard side.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026
  • People use all caps to indicate heightened emotion and avoid the formality of proper punctuation, which now seems stilted, even stern.
    — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Definition of stern

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intimidating
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Cite this Entry

“Intimidating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimidating. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on intimidating

Nglish: Translation of intimidating for Spanish Speakers

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