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 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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intimidating
Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2025
And if that all still feels too intimidating, try experimenting at home first.
—Kate Friedman, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2025
Guy Lodge, Variety, 12 Dec. 2024
Well, doing a guest star role is always intimidating.
—Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for intimidating
Adjective
Sourdough bread is a classic, but if that feels too intimidating, a standard bread machine recipe is an accessible place to start.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2025
And if that all still feels too intimidating, try experimenting at home first.
—Kate Friedman, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
No standard-issue heartthrob, Law began his career as a veritable emblem of intimidating, unattainable, sometimes self-sabotaging male beauty.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 12 Dec. 2024
Well, doing a guest star role is always intimidating.
—Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for intimidating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimidating
Adjective
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Tran swears that having a physical manifestation to interact with is why the terrifying sequences work.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
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But actually just look at it and go, look, this is really, really scary and terrifying.—
Emily Maddick,
Glamour,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In The Empire’s frame, residents of a coastal village in northern France — gruff, virile fisherman Jony (Brandon Vlieghe) and teenage tease Line (Lyna Khoudri) — reveal their oddball allegiance to extraterrestrial invaders.—
Armond White,
National Review,
14 Mar. 2025
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There’s a gruff and garrulous baseball pitching and hitting machine called Pop Fly (Brian Cox).—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While studying a rare species whose mating call appears to be the frightening shrieks the team has been hearing in the woods, the pair hired Kodiak (McHale) as their guide.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
21 Mar. 2025
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Granted that a 1 degree Celsius change in world average temperature can translate into a 4-degree Celsius increase in some of the most climate precarious countries, this last scenario is frightening.—
Mike O'Sullivan,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Monday night’s fierce winds took it down, damaging the support structures in the process.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2025
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The result captures something rarely seen in sports marketing: fierce competitors actively supporting each other’s growth.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Instead, there was a fast, tough, physical team flying around and making big-time plays, bullying the big-boy Tar Heels.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
30 Dec. 2024
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LeBron James scored 32 points one game after setting the NBA’s all-time minutes record for regular-season games, bullying the Kings on the offensive end while grabbing four steals on the defensive end.—
Dan Woike,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In the vast plains of North America, a formidable predator once reigned supreme.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Connecticut’s offense is formidable, but its defense is suspect.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Fast forward five years and Faris is still trying to find a balance between being a fun, yet stern, mom.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2025
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In Volusia County, where Daytona Beach has long had a reputation for being a spring break party destination, Sheriff Mike Chitwood issued a stern warning.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA TODAY,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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There’s a lot to love with Tuten and his ceiling is super high, but the floor is extremely scary because of his fumbles.—
Steve Bradshaw,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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Though these scenes unfold in real time, the narrative as a whole progresses in fits and starts: episodes are separated by days or months, during which Jamie becomes something of a cause célèbre for the internet’s scariest men.—
Inkoo Kang,
The New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Intimidating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimidating. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
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