fearsome

adjective

fear·​some ˈfir-səm How to pronounce fearsome (audio)
Synonyms of fearsomenext
1
a
: causing fear
a fearsome monster
b
: intense, extreme
fearsome determination
2
: timid, timorous
fearsomely adverb
fearsomeness noun

Synonyms of fearsome

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Examples of fearsome in a Sentence

at night the child would always imagine that there were fearsome monsters lurking under his bed after working all afternoon in the hot sun, I had developed a fearsome thirst
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The fearsome Inter, the ‘Bank of Italy’ club who had knocked out Real Madrid in the quarters, were to be the opponents in Lisbon. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 While Negan is somewhat erroneously regarded as the most fearsome and relentless villain, the Governor always seemed a much more unstoppable force with a greater capacity for evil than Negan ever possessed. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2026 With the fearsome offense, strong defense, and good goalies, there is no doubt that this team will be tough once again. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Photograph by Vincent Alban / Reuters The El Niño still growing in the Pacific is truly fearsome. — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fearsome

Word History

Etymology

fear entry 1 + -some entry 1

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fearsome was in 1768

Browse Nearby Words

fearnought
fearsome
fear the worst
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fearsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fearsome. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fearsome

adjective
fear·​some ˈfi(ə)r-səm How to pronounce fearsome (audio)
1
: causing fear
2
: timid
fearsomely adverb
fearsomeness noun
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