Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
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

"The Crucible," Vocabulary from the play

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

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.

When fit, the Arsenal forward line is among Europe's most fearsome, especially with Kelly rediscovering her scoring touch in that West Ham game by netting twice.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Scientists believe it rivalled the fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex in size, measuring around 40 feet long with a 20-inch sword-like crest on its head.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

This week’s latest round of stormy weather hit Southern California with fearsome winds that downed trees and heavy precipitation that flooded roadways and dumped even more snow in the mountains.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

Now he’s the fearsome monster who can’t quite remember the man he used to be.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2026

One of the good wizards from the castle—no one remembers his name—saw the Witch on her fearsome dragon as they flew across the broken land.

From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill

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.