intimidating

adjective

in·​tim·​i·​dat·​ing in-ˈti-mə-ˌdā-tiŋ 

: causing a loss of courage or self-confidence : producing feelings of fear or timidity

an intimidating snarl

a boss with a very intimidating manner

The Red Army athletes were the most intimidating of competitors.

—Ian Thomsen

First jobs are intimidating for everyone, but few people have to cope with the stresses of the workplace at such a tender age as ballet dancers do.

—Daphne Hurford

intimidatingly adverb

The ship was eerily, intimidatingly empty …

—Anthony Bourdain

… according to the architect Richard Rogers, [Daniel] Libeskind's work isn't just formally arresting—it is intimidatingly smart.

—Jason Cowley

Synonyms

• alarming
• dire
• direful
• dread
• dreadful
• fearful
• fearsome
• forbidding
• formidable
• frightening
• frightful
• ghastly
• hair-raising
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrifying
• redoubtable
• scary
• shocking
• spine-chilling
• terrible
• terrifying

Examples of intimidating in a Sentence

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

an intimidating bodyguard keeping the fans away from the pop star

Recent Examples on the Web

However, the gym can be both costly and intimidating, and some people just simply don’t have the time due to work or travel schedules. —Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024

And while its build quality is almost impeccable, most new riders find its power, size, and weight a little too intimidating. —New Atlas, 16 Dec. 2024

Acclimating to the vehicle’s size only takes minutes (numerous cameras aid low-speed maneuvering), and the 6000-pound SUV never feels intimidating or ponderous. —Michael Harley, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024

Photographing and videoing are not allowed at the polls in Arizona because it is thought to have an intimidating effect on voters. —Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined above