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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
after working all afternoon in the hot sun, I had developed a fearsome thirst
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Skubal was their ace on the mound, their most fearsome asset facing a collection of the best hitters in the world.
—
Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
The Peaky Blinders-esque period drama series about fearsome Irish gangs in New York will start production in Toronto in July 2025.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
In those days the Everglades were seen as Florida’s ghastly backyard, a region of fearsome reptiles and unsavory characters.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2025
This fearsome implement may just be worth the price.
—New Atlas, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fearsome
Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
The Peaky Blinders-esque period drama series about fearsome Irish gangs in New York will start production in Toronto in July 2025.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
In those days the Everglades were seen as Florida’s ghastly backyard, a region of fearsome reptiles and unsavory characters.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2025
This fearsome implement may just be worth the price.
—New Atlas, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fearsome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fearsome
Adjective
-
Wang has $106,000 in independent support, the majority of it from Empower Oakland, a nonprofit co-founded by mayoral candidate Loren Taylor that has emerged as a formidable funding arm in the city’s politics.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Cornyn is considered a formidable fundraiser; he’s brought in more than $415 million during his time in the Senate.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The missions became more intense as Japan's outlook grew more dire and the military showcased the sacrifice of the pilots to drum up patriotism and support for the war.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Next, the authors report that repressive techniques are often effective in suppressing protest in the short run but tend to make resistance more intense in the long term.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Wu was seen as timid at the beginning of the migrant crisis, staying in the background while Healey seized a Roxbury community rec center as a migrant shelter.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Of course, a lot of Republicans don’t feel that way because they’re being tricked into returning to a George W. Bush-era mindset where Democrats are weak and timid on the world stage while Republicans are tough and firm and willing to bomb the hell out of anyone who stands in their way.—
Connor Okeeffe,
Oc Register,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The teaser trailer showcases the epic highs and lows of professional football, with a focus on the lows, as all of this looks terrifying.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The teaser does feature a glimpse at Calypso, the man who hosts the tournament, as well as a signature laugh from Sweet Tooth the terrifying clown.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The documentary follows the story of Ángel, a charismatic boy with fierce love for his Guarani roots and a vision for his Paraguayan hometown of Nanawa.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The Battle of Okinawa lasted 82 days, with fierce fighting on land and sea.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The frontman proved expressive and animated despite serious hearing issues that sidelined him for a few scary years, and a voice that, understandably, doesn’t always have the sustain and power of earlier days.—
Katherine Turman,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Stocks have outperformed cash, bonds, and inflation by a wide margin over the long term despite many setbacks, many much scarier than tariffs or recession.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In the episode, O'Dowd and Jones play Mike and Amanda, respectively, a couple living a happy and simple life until Amanda suffers a frightening medical emergency and passes out.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Memphis Grizzlies rookie guard Jaylen Wells broke his right wrist after a frightening fall in Tuesday night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.—
William Guillory,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Since early March, Israel has cut Gaza off from the supply of humanitarian aid including food, with aid agencies warning that the situation for the strip’s 2 million civilians has deteriorated dangerously, only worsened by intensive Israeli military operations.—
Irene Nasser,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Now, more than six months after first complaining of stomach pain, Butlin started her first three-month course of intensive chemotherapy on April 8.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fearsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fearsome. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share