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 outer shell of the Louis Vuitton building consists of 3,600 unique glass panels, each bent to a different curve along a different axis, an evident tour de force of engineering and coordination. —Julian Rose, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026

Inside, the i3 delivers a digital tour de force. —Marty Padgett, The Drive, 18 Mar. 2026

The actress completely transforms into serial killer Aileen Wuornos, delivering a tour de force as a woman struggling to suppress her violent urges. —Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026

Jordan Campbell Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich and Germany) I’m aware that Karl hasn’t been capped by Germany but I’d like him to make the finals because his breakthrough season at Bayern Munich has been a tour de force. —The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 3 Mar. 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