1
as in formidable
causing fear
at night the child would always imagine that there were fearsome monsters lurking under his bed
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2
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
after working all afternoon in the hot sun, I had developed a fearsome thirst
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3
as in timid
easily frightened
the more fearsome of the two children would only peer at the guests from a distance
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fearsome
Regardless, with your trusty pulse rifle, blasting through the horde never gets too stale, and the 'bullet-sponginess' some have criticized actually feels right for monsters that are meant to be fearsome.
—
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025
However, the Texans boast one of the NFL's most fearsome defenses.
—Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Then, in February, the 10-day Carnival fills the streets with music, parades, and inventive costumes featuring giant handmade masks that represent fearsome creatures, which scare away winter spirits, or joyful beings celebrating their retreat, dating back to ancient pagan customs.
—AFAR Media, 24 Sep. 2025
Those two form the most fearsome defensive frontcourt in the WNBA and have established Minnesota’s identity.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fearsome
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025
However, the Texans boast one of the NFL's most fearsome defenses.
—Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Then, in February, the 10-day Carnival fills the streets with music, parades, and inventive costumes featuring giant handmade masks that represent fearsome creatures, which scare away winter spirits, or joyful beings celebrating their retreat, dating back to ancient pagan customs.
—AFAR Media, 24 Sep. 2025
Those two form the most fearsome defensive frontcourt in the WNBA and have established Minnesota’s identity.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fearsome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fearsome
Adjective
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Mesidor has formed a formidable one-two punch on the Hurricanes’ defensive line with Rueben Bain Jr.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
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Jazz In recent years, the pianist Vijay Iyer and the drummer Tyshawn Sorey, defining composers and leaders of contemporary jazz, have become one of its most formidable pairings.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The intense taste and smell can make this tonic hard to stomach.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
24 Oct. 2025
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Part of what spurred intense interest, according to sources, was the success of Weapons, Zach Cregger’s summer horror hit.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Babies also have new behaviors, from a playful and inquisitive Diplodocus to a more timid Moros Intrepidus.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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In the bit, Rihanna and Ronnie (Andy Samberg) are dropping knowledge to a group of grade schoolers with the singer crooning in her power range as timid Ronnie can barely rise above a whisper to her utter consternation.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In the del Toro version, the creature played by Jacob Elordi is not terrifying, the director told Entertainment Weekly in September before the film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
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The line occurs when the film’s protagonist, Ripley (Weaver), emerges from an elevator in a giant metal bodysuit, ready to fight a terrifying alien to save a young child.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Children’s Health Defense, the organization Kennedy built into one of the fiercest foes of childhood vaccines, took interest in the Idaho bill early on.—
Audrey Dutton,
ProPublica,
20 Oct. 2025
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Two-time All Pro linebacker James Harrison led a fierce Pittsburgh Steelers defense for years, winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The truth can be far more haunting than any scary story.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
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The movie adaptation was terrifying, but the creepy atmospheric tension in the novel is even scarier.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Even more frightening for journalists is the idea that generations are growing up without the habit of following news, particularly for their own communities.—
David Bauder,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
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Witch-burning, frightening folklore, and centuries of war and bloodshed have imparted an unsettling ambience in destinations like Edinburgh.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Gómez took the 5-day trip to Mexico City as a brief respite before starting intensive training to care for Noah at his home in New York City.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
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And the side hustle is time-intensive.—
Megan Sauer,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fearsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fearsome. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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