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

Only six years older than Crystal, the comedian still found Scorsese intimidating. —Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 16 Dec. 2024

But what’s really intimidating is looking at his size-21 shoes. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024

The new songs are thick but plush, intimidating but inviting, blustering but unhurried. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2024

Find a Wing Person For those who are naturally shy, having a buddy or a wing person can help networking events seem less intimidating. —Sho Dewan, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined above