fearsome

adjective

fear·​some ˈfir-səm 

1

a

: causing fear

a fearsome monster

b

: intense, extreme

fearsome determination

2

: timid, timorous

fearsomely adverb

fearsomeness noun

Synonyms of fearsome

• formidable
• terrifying
• frightening
• scary
• horrible
• terrible
• intimidating

Examples of fearsome in a Sentence

at night the child would always imagine that there were fearsome monsters lurking under his bed

after working all afternoon in the hot sun, I had developed a fearsome thirst

Recent Examples on the Web

These apex predators are fearsome hunters who employ diverse strategies and work collaboratively when tracking down a meal. — Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 23 July 2026

These changes — Baena’s forward running, Olmo’s ability between the lines, Ruiz’s ability to crash the box — made Spain more direct and more fearsome, and turned a cautious side in possession into a consistently threatening one. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Kirk Kerkorian, the fearsome billionaire owner of MGM, who ate there three to four times a week. — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026

Their summer is filled with pickup games, pool days, campouts, and a showdown with a fearsome dog called The Beast. — Sarah Scott, Parents, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

fear entry 1 + -some entry 1

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

fearsome

adjective

fear·​some ˈfi(ə)r-səm 

1

: causing fear

2

: timid

fearsomely adverb

fearsomeness noun