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

• alarming
• dire
• direful
• dread
• dreadful
• fearful
• forbidding
• formidable
• frightening
• frightful
• ghastly
• hair-raising
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrifying
• intimidating
• redoubtable
• scary
• shocking
• spine-chilling
• terrible
• terrifying

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

Place Alvarez on the Injured List, and Houston's lineup is far less fearsome. —Michael Shapiro, Chron, 23 Sep. 2024

Based on the adventure novel of the same name by Llanos Campos, the film tells the story of a young girl named Sparks who disguises herself as a boy and boards a pirate ship loaded with fearsome pirates. —Jamie Lang, Variety, 20 Sep. 2024

The performances truly are astonishing, with Saldana and Gomez in particular showing previously unseen sides and Gascón both tender and fearsome. —Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024

Beyond their fearsome reputation, sharks play a crucial ecological role, balancing marine ecosystems and supporting economies worldwide. —Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024

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