fearsome

[ feer-suh m ]

/ ˈfɪər səm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fearsome ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

causing fear: a fearsome noise.

causing awe or respect: a fearsome self-confidence.

afraid; timid.

Nearby words

Origin of fearsome

First recorded in 1760–70; fear + -some¹

Related formsfear·some·ly, adverbfear·some·ness, noun

Can be confusedfearful fearsome

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for fearsome

Gus Connolly, a broad middle-aged man with a thick red beard, was working at the Games dressed as a fearsome Scottish warrior.
Scots Must Choose Heart or Head|Nico Hines|September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The tiger is one of the most fearsome predators of the animal kingdom.
Viral Video of the Day: International Tiger Day|Jack Holmes|July 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On more than one occasion, Stallworth undercuts the image of Grand Wizard David Duke as a fearsome figure.
Speed Read: A Black Cop Infiltrates The KKK|William O’Connor|May 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She missed the rampant spying on its own citizens by the fearsome FSB.
How to Justify Russian Aggression|Michael Moynihan|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The former Arkansas governor called for a military so "fearsome" that "no one dares poke it."
Mike Huckabee Wins the Crowd at CPAC|Olivia Nuzzi|March 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Questions, exclamations, fearsome gasps and excited advice all tripped pell-mell from the girls.
The Orchard Secret|Cleo Garis
Carry home this fearsome green mummy on the leaf; put him in a cage made of wire screen, and watch him.
Trees Every Child Should Know|Julia Ellen Rogers
Of all the fearsome beasts beneath the sun The Bugbear is the most appalling one.
A Phenomenal Fauna|Carolyn Wells
He had a very dark, fearsome face, and a gleam in his eyes that comes back to me in my dreams.
Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes|Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
In truth she held a fearsome admiration for the man, and then she stiffened.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux

British Dictionary definitions for fearsome

fearsome

/ (ˈfɪəsəm) /

adjective

frightening

timorous; afraid

Derived Formsfearsomely, adverbfearsomeness, noun

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

Word Origin and History for fearsome

fearsome

adj.

1768, from fear + -some (1). Related: Fearsomely; fearsomeness.

fearsome

adjective

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of fearsome

Examples from the Web for fearsome

fearsome

adjective

fearsome