Synonyms of fearsome

fearsome

adjective

ˈfir-səm 

1

as in formidable

causing fear

at night the child would always imagine that there were fearsome monsters lurking under his bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• formidable
• terrifying
• frightening
• scary
• horrible
• terrible
• intimidating
• dread
• fearful
• alarming
• horrifying
• shocking
• dreadful
• frightful
• eerie
• startling
• ghastly
• creepy
• redoubtable
• forbidding
• dire
• gruesome
• horrendous
• direful
• spine-chilling
• threatening
• troubling
• hair-raising
• disturbing
• trying
• daunting
• unnerving
• discouraging
• hideous
• perturbing
• disquieting
• disconcerting
• weird
• demoralizing
• nightmarish
• dismaying
• monstrous
• grisly
• distressing
• appalling
• awful
• horrid
• macabre
• bone-chilling
• atrocious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassuring
• comforting
• soothing
• calming
• relaxing
• inviting
• tranquilizing
• consoling
• nonthreatening
• quieting
• lulling
• pacifying
• nonintimidating

2

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect

after working all afternoon in the hot sun, I had developed a fearsome thirst

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intense
• fierce
• intensive
• ferocious
• terrible
• deep
• furious
• heavy
• violent
• vicious
• fearful
• profound
• explosive
• acute
• dreadful
• frightful
• ghastly
• exquisite
• blistering
• vehement
• excruciating
• keen
• heavy-duty
• almighty
• hard
• hellacious
• intensified
• harsh
• aggravated
• heightened
• severe
• enhanced
• concentrated
• magnified
• stressed
• exhaustive
• thorough
• accentuated
• deepened
• rigorous
• emphasized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• moderate
• weak
• soft
• feeble
• superficial
• shallow
• qualified
• decreased
• eased
• subdued
• toned (down)
• diminished
• moderated
• reduced
• lightened
• lessened
• alleviated
• abated

3

as in timid

easily frightened

the more fearsome of the two children would only peer at the guests from a distance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• timid
• scary
• fearful
• shy
• timorous
• terrified
• scared
• tremulous
• afraid
• mousy
• fainthearted
• yellow
• dastardly
• panicked
• skittish
• craven
• cowardly
• pusillanimous
• startled
• unheroic
• gutless
• apprehensive
• spooky
• anxious
• nervous
• jittery
• spineless
• panicky
• alarmed
• horrified
• jumpy
• lily-livered
• chickenhearted
• chicken
• spooked
• unnerved
• poltroon
• milk-livered
• chicken-livered
• shocked
• terrorized
• panic-stricken

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• daring
• bold
• hardy
• adventurous
• fearless
• brave
• audacious
• heroic
• courageous
• gutsy
• valiant
• dauntless
• intrepid
• venturesome
• dashing
• undaunted
• confident
• stout
• gallant
• stalwart
• valorous
• adventuresome
• venturous
• assured
• unflinching
• resolute
• firm
• determined
• plucky
• stouthearted
• lionhearted
• doughty
• spirited
• undeterred
• unswerving
• game
• greathearted
• self-assured
• self-confident
• spunky
• mettlesome

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fearsome

Washington, for example, could be tempted to force the regime to buckle with a more fearsome military assault—leading Iran to cause greater market turmoil and damage to the Gulf. — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2026

Such fearsome creatures posed a threat to the gods on Mount Olympus. — George Loewenstein, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026

And apples aren't the only fruit on offer—prepare to pick out pears for your next holiday dinner, or a pumpkin brimming with the potential to become a fearsome jack-o'-lantern. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Sep. 2026

The speed of my spinning nunchucks wasn’t nearly as fearsome as the flapping of my upper arm flab. — Johanna Stein, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026