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
Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025
Just like everything old that becomes new again, this generation has claimed Ortega’s dark, stoic, intimidating, deadpan take on Wednesday as their own—perfect Halloween costume material.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 18 Sep. 2025
Jenny McCoy, SELF, 24 Oct. 2025
Breaking into the tiny house world doesn’t have to be intimidating, either.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intimidating
Adjective
The implications of SonixLegend trying to actually work through their Steam backlog can be more than a little intimidating, though.
—Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025
Just like everything old that becomes new again, this generation has claimed Ortega’s dark, stoic, intimidating, deadpan take on Wednesday as their own—perfect Halloween costume material.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
From box jumps to lateral bounds to burpees, plyometric exercises can be…intimidating.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 24 Oct. 2025
Breaking into the tiny house world doesn’t have to be intimidating, either.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intimidating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimidating
Adjective
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But a computer sensor wasn’t needed to confirm his terrifying speed.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
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Desperate to prove his mettle, Dek seeks out a terrifying creature of Yautja lore, determined to be the first of his kind to slay it.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But encounters with the island’s residents, including with his gruff but warm-hearted landlady (played by German screen legend Hanna Schygulla), gradually alter his outlook.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
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Panday plays a convincingly gruff tortured artist alongside Padda’s struggling ingenue, and most of the screen time is devoted to their pairing instead of introducing tertiary excess.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The idea of bullying states and cities into following orders from the president is a key part of the text, says David Graham, a journalist for The Atlantic who also wrote a book on the project.—
Kat Lonsdorf,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
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The results are similar, with each former employee’s clique now bullying Robert in protest.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But the trailer also offers a glimpse a frightening car crash that derails their career and life plans.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
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There were no spooky increases at the pumps or frightening fuel costs this Halloween.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Elizabeth’s determination not to settle the succession gave rise to fierce rivalry between the claimants to the English throne, among them Mary, Queen of Scots and her son James VI; James’s cousin Arbella Stuart; Lady Katherine Grey and her descendants; and Henry Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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Yet plans to expand America’s lab-monkey stockpile have been met with fierce opposition.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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More to the point, here are two industries still suffering the effects of high inflation, and two areas where that’s scaring customers away.—
Kelly Evans,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
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Like, scaring kids is important.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Mesidor has formed a formidable one-two punch on the Hurricanes’ defensive line with Rueben Bain Jr.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
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Jazz In recent years, the pianist Vijay Iyer and the drummer Tyshawn Sorey, defining composers and leaders of contemporary jazz, have become one of its most formidable pairings.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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On Academy Street, taken over by Dominicans, the Fourth translated into a jubilant handful of families and neighbors on each stretch of sidewalk, with speakers, folding chairs, and beer bottles at the foot of stern buildings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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The boat can easily accommodate a dozen guests, thanks to the abundant seating, including a rear-facing lounge at the stern and bow lounge.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Intimidating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimidating. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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