1
as in terrifying
causing fear
the school's seniors faced the intimidating prospect of the college entrance exams
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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intimidating
Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Despite their loud mating songs and intimidating appearance, cicadas are not dangerous.
—Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 5 Jan. 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
Bob Veale, one of the most intimidating pitchers of the 1960s who is credited with inventing a popular baseball saying, passed away at age 89.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Despite their loud mating songs and intimidating appearance, cicadas are not dangerous.
—Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 5 Jan. 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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Cumberbatch, in a few moments, expresses the depth of this father’s agony, the terrifying chasm of it.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2025
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Six episodes centre on a variety of different dinosaurs, from terrifying carnivores to docile herbivores.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The track resonates with Belinda’s crystalline vocals, dynamic guitar riffs, and spirited trumpet interplays, while Tito’s distinctively gruff delivery adds grit to their musical escapade.—
Ingrid Fajardo,
Billboard,
17 Jan. 2025
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Resolved to continue on her trip for the sake of her son, Sara finds herself in a perilous situation, and is forced to lean on the elusive Issac Reed (Taylor Kitsch), a gruff recluse who lives on the outskirts of Ft. Bridger.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This is all frightening enough — and as the hearing revealed, his bogus theories about AIDS, Lyme disease, and a slew of other public health issues make clear Kennedy is no friend of facts or science, and therefore should be utterly disqualified from HHS secretary.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
29 Jan. 2025
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The statistics on underage drinking are frightening, and alcohol does cause death and injury.—
TJ Hutchinson,
The Denver Post,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Bottom line By about five minutes into Zuckerberg’s prepared remarks, one thing was made perfectly clear: The fierce intensity he’s picked up in the octagon has made its way to the boardroom.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2025
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Expect shifting alliances, fierce fashion, and plenty of shade as these women navigate friendships and frenemies in the ATL.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
30 Jan. 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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Despite this, in 1980, in a turning point that helped give rise to the formidable power of the New Right, Reagan continued to lean heavily on the Panama issue in his successful campaign against Carter.—
Julie Greene / Made by History,
TIME,
22 Jan. 2025
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When Judkins’ 70-yard run set up his 1-yard scoring run for a 28-7 lead, Leonard and the Fighting Irish faced a formidable deficit that couldn’t be addressed on more quarterback keepers.—
Charles Odum,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The collision — and the flouting of the flight restriction by others — prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a stern warning against flying drones near wildfires.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2025
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Many in government won’t want to face stern judgments from an independent outsider.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Coupled with the growth of Bills blockers, Allen’s scary run threat has unclogged rushing lanes for teammates such as running back James Cook, whose 16 rushing touchdowns led the NFL this season.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Jan. 2025
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On top of all that, Carolina as an organization views cap space as an opportunity, not a scary thing.—
Pierre LeBrun,
The Athletic,
25 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near intimidating
Cite this Entry
“Intimidating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimidating. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
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