fearsome

adjective

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

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 Democrats’ best hope may be that Trump’s minuscule battleground state leads will collapse on contact with the fearsome Harris turnout machine. W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Nov. 2024 For Forbes, Gros highlights his lifelong efforts to protect some of our planet’s most fearsome birds of prey all in advance of the November 2nd release of Protecting The Wild Episode 5, a chapter that’s dedicated to the plight of the harpy eagle. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 Baker clearly respects and admires Ani, and looks with rueful empathy at the severe orders and fearsome threats under which the three tough guys labor, the harsh yet frivolous upbringing that has left Vanya a terrified emotional baby. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2024 There’s the anxiety of finding a good costume, the pressure to brave fearsome things like haunted houses and scary movies and, of course, the struggle to nab the best candy. Cady Lang, TIME, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fearsome 

Word History

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fearsome was in 1768

Dictionary Entries Near fearsome

Cite this Entry

“Fearsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fearsome. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!