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Synonyms

fearsome

American  
[feer-suhm] / ˈfɪər səm /

adjective

  1. causing fear.

    a fearsome noise.

  2. causing awe or respect.

    a fearsome self-confidence.

  3. afraid; timid.


fearsome British  
/ ˈfɪəsəm /

adjective

  1. frightening

  2. timorous; afraid

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of fearsome

First recorded in 1760–70; fear + -some 1

Vocabulary lists containing fearsome

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Harvey Barnes: Has a fearsome record against Leeds and eyes lit up when he danced inside the box only for Trafford to deny him.

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026

From the new world, a bird-shaped jar wears women’s attire from the Moche culture and a bottle is emblazoned with a fearsome fox warrior.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

Admittedly, the Pakistan attack Cox faced was far from the most fearsome in Test cricket.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026

“Spa Weekend” is built around the same fearsome foursome ethos as shows like “Sex and the City” and “Girls,” with several different character types and lots of available friction between them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

She passed the trowel to the fearsome Mrs. Willard, “who stopped the mortar more heartily, and got some of it on her gown.”

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

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