as in to bully
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in terrifying
causing fear
the school's seniors faced the intimidating prospect of the college entrance exams
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of intimidate
Marc Malkin,
Variety,
2 July 2026
The masks are often vibrant and colorful but sometimes intimidating, depicting superheroes, animals or other symbolic figures.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
14 June 2026
Presumably, those who could afford the intimidating ticket and parking prices at SoFi Stadium considered the experience worthwhile.
—
Joaquin Ruiz,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
At first, Austin considered creating a four- or six-week work plan for pregnant people, but realized that might feel intimidating, especially when your energy and motivation levels fluctuate so much during pregnancy.
—
Staff Author,
Parents,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for intimidate
Verb
Swift was mercilessly dragged into court proceedings when Baldoni accused Lively of leveraging Swift to intimidate him during the shoot.
—
Marc Malkin,
Variety,
2 July 2026
The masks are often vibrant and colorful but sometimes intimidating, depicting superheroes, animals or other symbolic figures.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Adjective
Some of the greatest triumphs and moments of satisfaction come from pursuing those things that are really intimidating.
—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
14 June 2026
Presumably, those who could afford the intimidating ticket and parking prices at SoFi Stadium considered the experience worthwhile.
—
Joaquin Ruiz,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
Verb
Those pressures can make negotiations feel intimidating, but approaching conversations calmly and strategically may lead to better outcomes.
—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
At first, Austin considered creating a four- or six-week work plan for pregnant people, but realized that might feel intimidating, especially when your energy and motivation levels fluctuate so much during pregnancy.
—
Staff Author,
Parents,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for intimidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimidate
Verb
-
This was a rabid, partisan home-soil advantage that flat-out bullied the squad into surviving.
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They got bullied in that one, showing a tremendous lack of physicality.
Verb
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At the time of writing, as the Marine Traffic map shows, tanker traffic is barely moving through the Strait, and many ships, unable to obtain insurance or with their owners frightened at the level of risk involved, are refusing to advance.
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But because the president has frightened Congress, Congress doesn’t raise its voice when the president puts his Albert Speer–like building project, or intends to, on Congress’s land.
Verb
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There was one American flag sign lit, with some storefront decor gleaming red, white and blue, but the heat seemingly scared most away from celebrating July 4 before Saturday's big day.
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Johnson says Monday was her first time on the Wild Mouse attraction; however, the experience did not scare her away from the park.
Verb
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Enterprises that route requests between multiple models can be coerced into selecting the weakest route.
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What’s not clear is whether the department will eventually use its muscle to coerce builders, suppliers, and property owners into upgrading their sheds and fielding them more sparingly.
Verb
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Pochettino’s sources of American sports culture inspiration There were some aspects of American culture, and specifically American sports culture, that clearly startled Pochettino.
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Today Twain would be startled by the passivity of a once-mighty Congress that has all but crumbled in the face of pressure from the White House.
Verb
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His process of doing so involved disparaging his accusers, browbeating people and institutions that no longer wanted to be associated with him, and refusing to accept a path that precluded a return to being a public figure.
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Trump, who typically prizes his ability to browbeat enemies with a mixture of bravado and bluster, is becoming a little less vocal on Iran.
Cite this Entry
“Intimidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimidate. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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