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

When the troubles grew more fearsome following Lexington and Concord in 1775, Trumbull effectively crushed the loyalist movement and spearheaded Connecticut’s role as the Provisions State. — Dr. Matthew Warshauer, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2026

Those Na’vi choose to model their traditional knives after the teeth of the fearsome creature, and some members of the tribe even wear the akula’s actual teeth with necklaces. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 24 June 2026

Long ago, Levi and Vega, children of the fearsome captain of the Sea Dragon, grow up on tales of daring seafaring exploits, but there are stories they haven't been told — stories about witches, mermaids and magical maps. — Sarah Kate Ellis, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026

Kaila Charles was a frenetic bundle of energy off the bench, scoring a season-high 13 points and giving the Valkyries a fearsome defensive tandem on the wing with Williams. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 June 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