fearsome

adjective

ˈfir-səm How to pronounce fearsome (audio)
Definition of fearsomenext
1
as in formidable
causing fear at night the child would always imagine that there were fearsome monsters lurking under his bed

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2
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect after working all afternoon in the hot sun, I had developed a fearsome thirst

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3
as in timid
easily frightened the more fearsome of the two children would only peer at the guests from a distance

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of fearsome Washington, for example, could be tempted to force the regime to buckle with a more fearsome military assault—leading Iran to cause greater market turmoil and damage to the Gulf. — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2026 Such fearsome creatures posed a threat to the gods on Mount Olympus. — George Loewenstein, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026 And apples aren't the only fruit on offer—prepare to pick out pears for your next holiday dinner, or a pumpkin brimming with the potential to become a fearsome jack-o'-lantern. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Sep. 2026 The speed of my spinning nunchucks wasn’t nearly as fearsome as the flapping of my upper arm flab. — Johanna Stein, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fearsome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fearsome
  1. formidable
  2. intense
  3. timid
  4. terrifying
  5. fierce
  6. scary
  7. frightening
  8. intensive
Adjective
  • Wildwood is a dark tale, with whispers of a witch, set against the beautiful yet formidable backdrop of rural New England.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • American power was formidable but trust in America was priceless.
    — Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of formidable
Adjective
  • The hearing took place amid the intense debate surrounding the risks posed by advanced AI models.
    — Ian Thomas,Colleen McKown, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Sexton’s intense playing style has remained as his career has evolved.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • Because, at this point, helping the Ukrainians achieve victory would cost relatively little, yet the West remains timid.
    — Dan Crenshaw, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Defense can’t be too timid, but there needs to be rational response to an asymmetric downside.
    — Bob Ackerman, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of timid
Adjective
  • What started as a routine bike ride home turned into a terrifying fight for survival for Katherine Marroquin on Sunday night.
    — Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In Carroll Gardens, says Cavallo, a house on Henry Street, between Carroll and President, is so terrifying some kids have to cross the street.
    — Fiorella Valdesolo, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • Projects that communities had originally welcomed were suddenly met with fierce opposition, and companies had to improve.
    — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • What is to come afterwards is when their world is on fire as the fierce Battle Of Okinawa Island takes them , and us, back to sad reality.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • Bad dreams – like scary stories – work as fire drills for the developing brain.
    — Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026
  • There, shortly after fully participating in a practice as if nothing ever happened, the rookie linebacker recapped the scenes from perhaps the scariest moment of his football career three days prior.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of scary
Adjective
  • As the frightening phantom of Frank the Bunny warns, this parallel reality has a ticking clock that’ll result in its imminent collapse in just 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • For neighbors, the crash brought a frightening interruption to an otherwise routine afternoon.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • Just a half-hour north of San Diego, the property is comprised of over 600 acres of hills, meadows, Japanese gardens, and citrus groves, including 30 miles of private hiking trails and five acres of bio-intensive gardens.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • On the cost side, Zuckerberg did acknowledge that Muse is currently very compute-intensive.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of intensive

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Cite this Entry

“Fearsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fearsome. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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