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

The 19-year-old Russian is the favorite given her form, but Krejčíková, 30, is a fearsome opponent on grass and will enter the match unburdened by pressure. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 30 June 2026

Golden State also has interest in trading for Washington Wizards forward Anthony Davis, according to ESPN, with the dream of creating a fearsome foursome of Curry, James, Davis and Green. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026

When the troubles grew more fearsome following Lexington and Concord in 1775, Trumbull effectively crushed the loyalist movement and spearheaded Connecticut’s role as the Provisions State. — Dr. Matthew Warshauer, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2026

Those Na’vi choose to model their traditional knives after the teeth of the fearsome creature, and some members of the tribe even wear the akula’s actual teeth with necklaces. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 24 June 2026