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

• 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

In one of the most fearsome plots, the Denmark Vesey conspiracy of 1822, rebels allegedly planned to burn down Charleston. —Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025

Its claws, while not as curved or fearsome as those of a hawk, are still sharp enough to grip prey. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025

Once a weakness this season, the Yankees’ bullpen is now fearsome. —Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025

In Parker-Tyus, the Las Vegas Aces should have a fearsome defender with a healthy scoring arsenal, including an effective three-pointer to stretch opposing defenses. —Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025

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