tour de force

noun

ˌtu̇r-də-ˈfȯrs 

plural tours de force ˌtu̇r-də-ˈfȯrs 

: a feat or display of strength, skill, or ingenuity

the movie is a comic tour de force

Synonyms of tour de force

• feat
• deed
• achievement
• performance
• stunt

Examples of tour de force in a Sentence

The book is a tour de force.

Her performance in the play was a real tour de force.

Recent Examples on the Web

The pre-game session was nothing more than a final dress rehearsal ahead of what ultimately became a tour de force performance. — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

The praise on the cover called it a tour de force of racial reckoning. — Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026

This track-only tour de force pays homage to the Interceptor that was brought to market in 1966 by Jenson Motors, a manufacturer active for roughly five decades until running out of figurative gas in 1976. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2026

The band has occasionally performed the entire tour de force in concert as a medley. — Al Shipley, SPIN, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tour de force

• counterforce
• intercourse
• nonrecourse
• reinforce
• watercourse
• bourse
• coarse
• course
• gorse
• hoarse
• horse
• norse