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

Season Four turned the show’s central toxic love story, between frenemies Yasmin Kara-Hanani (Marisa Abela) and Harper Stern (Myha’la), into a tour de force of power struggles and breakdowns. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 July 2026

For years, many consumers have continued to think of Next as a clothing retailer, yet those of us behind the scenes understand the power of this retail tour de force. — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Kincaid calls the 1982 work a tour de force of the collection, and of Basquiat’s entire career. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026

In a four-hander where each performer excels in their own way, Wilde gives a neurotic tour de force. — ABC News, 24 June 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