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
Ian ThomsenFirst 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
Daphne Hurford
intimidatingly
adverb
The ship was eerily, intimidatingly empty …
—Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain
… according to the architect Richard Rogers, [Daniel] Libeskind's work isn't just formally arresting—it is intimidatingly smart.
—Jason Cowley
Jason Cowley
Synonyms
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
Under federal law, employers can make factual statements, for instance regarding union dues, as long as those statements are truthful and not misleading, coercive or intimidating.
—Sarah MacAraeg, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2024
Though that might be less intimidating than answering to Wanda Sykes after driving by and commenting on her ass.
—Larry Fitzmaurice, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2024
Still, these Bronx Bombers always seem a bit like musclebound fighters — formidable and intimidating, but lacking the intangible pixie dust of youth and the agility necessary to ultimately come out on top.
—Paul Bledsoe, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2024
The latter is certainly happening, but among those who are taking advantage of this new freedom first are zealots who speak in a language of aggressive and intimidating conservatism.
—Alexander Baunov, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2017
See all Example Sentences for intimidating 
Sarah MacAraeg, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2024
Though that might be less intimidating than answering to Wanda Sykes after driving by and commenting on her ass.
—Larry Fitzmaurice, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2024
Still, these Bronx Bombers always seem a bit like musclebound fighters — formidable and intimidating, but lacking the intangible pixie dust of youth and the agility necessary to ultimately come out on top.
—Paul Bledsoe, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2024
The latter is certainly happening, but among those who are taking advantage of this new freedom first are zealots who speak in a language of aggressive and intimidating conservatism.
—Alexander Baunov, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2017
See all Example Sentences for intimidating
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intimidating.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near intimidating
Cite this Entry
“Intimidating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intimidating. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
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