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

To call Stewart’s work in that show a tour de force would be an understatement. — Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2026

The film’s strongest awards prospect is probably Andrew Garfield, who gives a tour de force turn as Altman, and who will compete in the genre-blending supporting actor race. — Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2026

Tom Cruise gives a brilliant, boldly invigorated, tour de force performance. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2026

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

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