Synonyms of intimidating

intimidating 1 of 2

adjective

in-ˈti-mə-ˌdā-tiŋ 

1

as in terrifying

causing fear

the school's seniors faced the intimidating prospect of the college entrance exams

Synonyms & Similar Words

• terrifying
• frightening
• formidable
• scary
• horrible
• terrible
• alarming
• fearful
• dread
• shocking
• horrifying
• creepy
• forbidding
• startling
• eerie
• fearsome
• threatening
• trying
• dreadful
• daunting
• frightful
• troubling
• ghastly
• disturbing
• redoubtable
• gruesome
• discouraging
• unnerving
• horrendous
• spine-chilling
• dire
• disconcerting
• demoralizing
• hair-raising
• direful
• perturbing
• disquieting
• weird
• distressing
• dismaying
• hideous
• appalling
• nightmarish
• monstrous
• grisly
• macabre
• awful
• horrid
• bone-chilling
• atrocious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassuring
• comforting
• relaxing
• soothing
• calming
• inviting
• tranquilizing
• consoling
• nonthreatening
• quieting
• lulling
• pacifying
• nonintimidating

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

• gruff
• fierce
• stern
• grim
• rugged
• hostile
• forbidding
• bleak
• severe
• rough
• lowering
• stark
• hardened
• dour
• austere
• dark
• cold
• stubborn
• steely
• flinty
• somber
• ungentle
• unfriendly
• solemn
• black
• inhospitable
• determined
• stiff
• moody
• inimical
• unsympathetic
• resolute
• adamant
• purposeful
• uncompromising
• unflinching
• rigid
• serious
• bound
• intent
• steadfast
• obstinate
• unrelenting
• implacable
• hard
• resolved
• willful
• immovable
• inflexible
• obdurate
• unyielding
• surly
• unbending
• firm
• fixed
• sullen
• sulky
• unsmiling
• hardheaded
• gloomy
• unchangeable
• immutable
• morose
• brooding
• joyless
• cheerless
• melancholy
• humorless
• mulish
• melancholic
• ironhanded
• glum
• staid
• grave
• weighty
• sober
• set
• self-willed
• sobersided

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• benign
• gentle
• mild
• easy
• soft
• soothing
• meek
• quiet
• bland
• mellow
• tender
• pleasant
• benignant
• sweet
• tranquil
• nonintimidating
• cheerful
• agreeable
• bright
• inviting
• pleasing
• happy
• glad
• silly
• playful
• lighthearted
• frivolous
• goofy
• merry
• sunny
• mirthful
• giddy
• scatterbrained
• flighty
• harebrained
• featherbrained
• light-headed

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bullying
• frightening
• scaring
• startling
• coercing
• browbeating
• shocking
• cowing
• hectoring
• harassing
• badgering
• threatening
• bulldozing
• terrifying
• strong-arming
• picking on
• bullyragging
• menacing
• blackjacking
• horrifying
• pressuring
• alarming
• terrorizing
• blustering
• bogarting
• spooking
• disturbing
• compelling
• unnerving
• forcing
• disconcerting
• upsetting
• demoralizing
• trash-talking
• distressing
• obliging
• constraining
• hounding
• disquieting
• bludgeoning
• perturbing
• affrighting
• pressing
• pushing around
• dragooning
• making
• unmanning
• discomposing
• psyching (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassuring
• comforting
• soothing
• cheering
• consoling
• encouraging
• convincing
• persuading
• solacing
• emboldening
• heartening
• steeling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of intimidating

Adjective

Green previously admitted acting was considerably more intimidating than taking the stage. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Honest language can make a sensitive conversation feel less intimidating and more workable. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026

Verb

Barrel pants are an intimidating trend to get in on, but I’ve been tempted for months all the time. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026

Investing can feel intimidating for beginners and time-consuming for experienced traders alike, and Sterling Stock Picker aims to simplify both experiences. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026