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
In-office treatments have been around for a while, but innovations in at-home hair removal devices make the process far less intimidating and costly for those seeking longer-term results beyond what an electric shaver can provide.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2024
Libby also often hiked the Monon High Bridge trail and was never scared to cross the bridge, which is famous and intimidating for its height and the big gaps between the wooden steps.
—Jordan Smith, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Oct. 2024
Its hulking form and heavy materials — oceans of granite, limestone and concrete — created an intimidating place that stood for strength, power and winning.
—Sam Lubell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024
Yet until the creation of the new trail, there was no formalized network of hiking paths in the archipelago, making the more remote islands a logistically intimidating place to explore—particularly when temperatures drop.
—Madeline Weinfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2024
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Iman Balagam, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2024
Libby also often hiked the Monon High Bridge trail and was never scared to cross the bridge, which is famous and intimidating for its height and the big gaps between the wooden steps.
—Jordan Smith, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Oct. 2024
Its hulking form and heavy materials — oceans of granite, limestone and concrete — created an intimidating place that stood for strength, power and winning.
—Sam Lubell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024
Yet until the creation of the new trail, there was no formalized network of hiking paths in the archipelago, making the more remote islands a logistically intimidating place to explore—particularly when temperatures drop.
—Madeline Weinfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for intimidating
Dictionary Entries Near intimidating
Cite this Entry
“Intimidating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intimidating. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
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