fearsome
Americanadjective
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causing fear.
a fearsome noise.
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causing awe or respect.
a fearsome self-confidence.
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afraid; timid.
adjective
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frightening
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timorous; afraid
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of fearsome
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.
He clearly appreciates the value of a fearsome antagonist, though he somewhat overstates the threat Stalin personally posed to Emanuel after the revolution.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026
These were the game’s most fearsome closers, like Troy Percival, Robb Nen and Brian Wilson.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
This was the case even before he became the fearsome Manchester City striker he is today.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
The plumber was sent to a fearsome maximum-security prison in Eswatini -- formerly known as Swaziland -- where he is still being held without charge a year later.
From Barron's ● Jul. 7, 2026
“Legend says that lighting the Lamp of Bharata awakens the Sleeper, a demon who will summon Lord Shiva, the fearsome Lord of Destruction, who will dance upon the world and bring an end to Time.”
From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.