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 frightening
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
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 intimidate
Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 6 Oct. 2025
Guided Stargazing Tours Stargazing in a new-to-you location can feel intimidating.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 18 Sep. 2025
Family backing makes the spotlight a little less intimidating!
—Christina Dugan Ramirez , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
Games are intimidating and hard to learn… and expensive.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intimidate
Verb
All are portable, functional, and beginner-friendly—because watching the stars doesn’t require expensive equipment or intimidating gear.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 6 Oct. 2025
Guided Stargazing Tours Stargazing in a new-to-you location can feel intimidating.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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
Family backing makes the spotlight a little less intimidating!
—Christina Dugan Ramirez , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
Wine shouldn’t be intimidating.
—Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
Games are intimidating and hard to learn… and expensive.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intimidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimidate
Adjective
-
The home of Red October used to be a terrifying place for opponents this time of year.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
With an all-star cast featuring Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, and Rachel Sennott, Bodies is a terrifying and darkly atmospheric ride that could become a new classic.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This pays off to some extent because Day-Lewis is such a mesmerizing presence, Ray’s gruff manner and terse communications hinting at dark mysteries to be revealed.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Sep. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
What began as a hiking trip with friends on the breathtaking slopes of on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest turned into a frightening ordeal for 30-year-old Feng Holiday, after a rare October blizzard left her and hundreds of hikers stranded in treacherous conditions.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the movie's kinetic animation and Ichabod's rubbery physicality playfully contrast with the truly frightening Horseman and his flaming pumpkin.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As Auberge continues expanding into urban markets and deepening its European presence, the challenge will be maintaining that fierce independence at scale.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Rescuers are struggling to reach at least 200 hikers trapped in a Mount Everest valley by an unexpectedly fierce weekend snowstorm that pounded the mountain with snow and heavy rain, according to Chinese state media CCTV.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Rip currents are formidable natural forces, but knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of safely navigating these challenging waters.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Oct. 2025
-
With the Eagles’ offensive line not as formidable as last season, Barkley was back to his feast or famine style.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Marc Skinner’s side will face far sterner challenges.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
However, getting first-team reps has come with a stern warning.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Keontez Lewis left Saturday’s game against Kent State early after suffering a scary injury while attempting to make a catch.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Does your child find Halloween super scary?—
Ellen Sturm Niz,
Parents,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike the grim feeling around schools like Florida, everyone here desperately wants Venables to be the right guy.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Jill Biden, meanwhile, is portrayed as a grim figure.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Intimidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimidate. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share