fearsome
adjective
fear·some ˈfir-səm 
1
a
: causing fear
a fearsome monster
b
: intense, extreme
fearsome determination
2
: timid, timorous
fearsomely adverb
fearsomeness noun
Synonyms
- alarming
- dire
- direful
- dread
- dreadful
- fearful
- forbidding
- formidable
- frightening
- frightful
- ghastly
- hair-raising
- horrendous
- horrible
- horrifying
- intimidating
- redoubtable
- scary
- shocking
- spine-chilling
- terrible
- terrifying
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 So don’t be surprised to see Toussaint’s white loc-rocking Sea Snake wield his court influence—as well as his fearsome staff—to best position House Velaryon for a move into an even more central position of power. 
Hanna Flint, Men's Health, 22 Aug. 2022 Every fossil, from a fearsome skull to the nubbliest little metatarsal, is an irreplaceable data point in science’s constantly evolving understanding of the roughly 165 million years dinosaurs spent on this planet. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Shooting The Night Of, which earned him an Emmy nomination, Williams played Freddy, a fearsome addict imprisoned for life, guiding a frightened new inmate (Riz Ahmed) on how to survive behind bars. Andrea Mandell, Peoplemag, 10 Aug. 2022 From the author of Harry Potter comes a kid-friendly book about a fearsome monster and a fantastical adventure. Bianca Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 4 Aug. 2022 The political consulting firm Matrix LLC has long gathered intelligence for powerful politicians and corporate interests in Alabama, and in the process nurtured a fearsome reputation. John Archibald | Jarchibald@al.com, al, 3 Aug. 2022 The weeklong summer festival that celebrates everything sharp-toothed and fearsome dives deep into our culture’s love of sharks, returning to Discovery on July 24 through July 30. Sage Anderson, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2022 In the standout role that Taylor originated, Devon Louis exuded an authoritative and sometimes fearsome presence. Robert Greskovic, WSJ, 17 June 2022 Their defense isn’t going to become big and fearsome overnight. Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2022 See More
Hanna Flint, Men's Health, 22 Aug. 2022 Every fossil, from a fearsome skull to the nubbliest little metatarsal, is an irreplaceable data point in science’s constantly evolving understanding of the roughly 165 million years dinosaurs spent on this planet. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Shooting The Night Of, which earned him an Emmy nomination, Williams played Freddy, a fearsome addict imprisoned for life, guiding a frightened new inmate (Riz Ahmed) on how to survive behind bars. Andrea Mandell, Peoplemag, 10 Aug. 2022 From the author of Harry Potter comes a kid-friendly book about a fearsome monster and a fantastical adventure. Bianca Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 4 Aug. 2022 The political consulting firm Matrix LLC has long gathered intelligence for powerful politicians and corporate interests in Alabama, and in the process nurtured a fearsome reputation. John Archibald | Jarchibald@al.com, al, 3 Aug. 2022 The weeklong summer festival that celebrates everything sharp-toothed and fearsome dives deep into our culture’s love of sharks, returning to Discovery on July 24 through July 30. Sage Anderson, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2022 In the standout role that Taylor originated, Devon Louis exuded an authoritative and sometimes fearsome presence. Robert Greskovic, WSJ, 17 June 2022 Their defense isn’t going to become big and fearsome overnight. Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
fear entry 1 + -some entry 1
First Known Use
1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
fearsome
adjective
fear·some ˈfir-səm
: very frightening
a fearsome growl
fearsome
adjective
1
as in formidable
causing fear at night the child would always imagine that there were fearsome monsters lurking under his bed Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- formidable
- terrifying
- frightening
- scary
- intimidating
- horrible
- terrible
- dread
- fearful
- alarming
- horrifying
- shocking
- dreadful
- frightful
- ghastly
- eerie
- creepy
- redoubtable
- startling
- forbidding
- gruesome
- dire
- direful
- horrendous
- spine-chilling
- trying
- threatening
- troubling
- eery
- hair-raising
- daunting
- unnerving
- disturbing
- hideous
- discouraging
- perturbing
- disquieting
- disconcerting
- weird
- nightmarish
- demoralizing
- dismaying
- monstrous
- grisly
- distressing
- appalling
- horrid
- awful
- macabre
- bone-chilling
- atrocious
- grewsome
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reassuring
- calming
- soothing
- comforting
- tranquilizing
- inviting
- relaxing
- quieting
- tranquillizing
- nonthreatening
- consoling
- lulling
- nonintimidating
- pacifying
2
as in ferocious
extreme in degree, power, or effect after working all afternoon in the hot sun, I had developed a fearsome thirst Synonyms & Similar Words
- ferocious
- intense
- fierce
- intensive
- terrible
- furious
- deep
- vicious
- violent
- heavy
- fearful
- frightful
- dreadful
- ghastly
- explosive
- profound
- acute
- almighty
- exquisite
- blistering
- excruciating
- vehement
- hellacious
- keen
- heightened
- hard
- intensified
- harsh
- heavy-duty
- aggravated
- severe
- enhanced
- concentrated
- accentuated
- magnified
- deepened
- stressed
- emphasized
- exhaustive
- thorough
- rigorous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- weak
- feeble
- soft
- moderate
- light
- superficial
- shallow
- qualified
- subdued
- diminished
- decreased
- eased
- toned (down)
- reduced
- moderated
- lightened
- lessened
- alleviated
- abated
3
as in timid
easily frightened the more fearsome of the two children would only peer at the guests from a distance Synonyms & Similar Words
- timid
- scary
- fearful
- terrified
- shy
- scared
- timorous
- afraid
- yellow
- tremulous
- fainthearted
- mousy
- dastardly
- craven
- mousey
- startled
- skittish
- pusillanimous
- cowardly
- panicked
- anxious
- unheroic
- apprehensive
- gutless
- alarmed
- spooky
- nervous
- horrified
- terrorized
- panicky
- jittery
- poltroon
- chicken
- shocked
- spineless
- jumpy
- lily-livered
- spooked
- chickenhearted
- unnerved
- chicken-livered
- milk-livered
- panic-stricken
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- daring
- bold
- hardy
- adventurous
- audacious
- brave
- heroic
- gutsy
- courageous
- fearless
- dauntless
- valiant
- intrepid
- undaunted
- adventuresome
- dashing
- venturous
- venturesome
- stalwart
- heroical
- stout
- confident
- gallant
- valorous
- stouthearted
- unflinching
- lionhearted
- resolute
- assured
- doughty
- plucky
- undeterred
- spirited
- determined
- firm
- greathearted
- unswerving
- game
- self-assured
- spunky
- self-confident
- mettlesome