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
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
The context makes their league triumph all the more impressive and all the more intimidating.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 17 May 2026
But, if having so many options to choose from sounds more intimidating than invigorating, Linda Vater, plant expert for Southern Living® Plant Collection, advises looking to your yard for the best fit.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
Restitution can be a very intimidating process, for which there are very few ways to find out where to start, who to talk to.
—Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 11 May 2026
Facing one of the state’s top girls lacrosse teams is always an intimidating challenge.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for intimidating
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Megan Feringa, New York Times, 17 May 2026
But, if having so many options to choose from sounds more intimidating than invigorating, Linda Vater, plant expert for Southern Living® Plant Collection, advises looking to your yard for the best fit.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
Restitution can be a very intimidating process, for which there are very few ways to find out where to start, who to talk to.
—Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 11 May 2026
Facing one of the state’s top girls lacrosse teams is always an intimidating challenge.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for intimidating
Cite this Entry
“Intimidating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intimidating. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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