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.
Now that these lovable chaos agents are joined by all manner of fearsome, gelatinous people-eaters, parents might be wondering whether to have their youngest tykes sit this installment out. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 1 July 2026 Those Na’vi choose to model their traditional knives after the teeth of the fearsome creature, and some members of the tribe even wear the akula’s actual teeth with necklaces. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 24 June 2026 Kaila Charles was a frenetic bundle of energy off the bench, scoring a season-high 13 points and giving the Valkyries a fearsome defensive tandem on the wing with Williams. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 June 2026 Their fearsome Manchester City striker Erling Haaland scored four goals in his first two World Cup games before being rested against France. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 30 June 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 8 Jul. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on fearsome

Nglish: Translation of fearsome for Spanish Speakers

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