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
Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Liverpool sauntered past France’s third-best team, Marseille, on their own turf last week, overcoming an incredibly intimidating atmosphere to breeze to a 3-0 win.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Jeff Spry, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The molasses-like appearance can initially seem intimidating, but the sweetness and richness of flavor is truly unique.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for intimidating
Adjective
Slippery Neptune moves into your intimidating 8th house, touching upon boundaries with money, secrets, and other vulnerable topics.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Liverpool sauntered past France’s third-best team, Marseille, on their own turf last week, overcoming an incredibly intimidating atmosphere to breeze to a 3-0 win.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
The 384-page hardcover focuses on the game's main antagonist, crime lord Jaylen Vrax, and his intimidating assassin droid ND-5.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The molasses-like appearance can initially seem intimidating, but the sweetness and richness of flavor is truly unique.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for intimidating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimidating
Adjective
-
Pregnancy and birth carry its own battles and terrifying statistics.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The editorial board then throws in the new scare tactic for good measure at the end, claiming that there is some terrifying epidemic of puking, screaming and hospitalizations as the result of THC use (relying on spotty data, none of which has been linked to THC beverages).—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Wild Cards is a crime-solving procedural with a comedic twist that follows the unlikely duo of a gruff, sardonic cop and a spirited, clever con woman.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
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So did Paul Mescal, previously considered a lock, in best supporting actor for his portrayal of a gruff William Shakespeare.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The actor played the bullying older brother to Kevin, coming into the gig after roles in 1989's Little Monsters and on the CBS series Heartland.—
Madeline Boardman,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
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The first step leadership needs to take is to name the behavior and explicitly label it as bullying, both in policy and in practice.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But that depiction was picked apart by a vast array of online onlookers, from law enforcement experts to ordinary Instagram users, some of whom replayed the videos frame by frame and zoomed in to show the episode in frightening detail.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
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The news this week that CPW employees are facing a variety of threats from radical elements in both groups of Coloradans strikes us as ironic sad — and frightening.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Those funds are caught in a fierce battle over Democratic proposals, now backed by some Republicans, to impose limits on the behavior of the ICE agents whose aggressive tactics in Minneapolis have left protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti dead.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
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Game director Cary Trzcinski made sure emotions did not boil over and lead to a melee, sticking his thick body and fierce game face into one brewing moment in the second half.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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How to tell her about this terrible event without scaring her?—
Jessica Tzikas,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2026
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California’s declines can be more properties for sale, nudging sellers to compete on price, and a wobbly economy scaring off some potential buyers.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But Isbell runs the race on a stark and formidable solo album and a batting average of six wins for eight nods (prior to this year’s three more).—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Van Scoyoc and Cohen will be a formidable one-two duo for Palos Verdes.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In the video, Caleb said wearing a stern facial expression.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Serious, even stern, Douglas was highly principled, fiercely uncompromising and personally brave.—
John T. Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intimidating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimidating. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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