tour de force

noun

ˌtu̇r-də-ˈfȯrs

plural tours de force ˌtu̇r-də-ˈfȯrs

Synonyms of tour de force next

: a feat or display of strength, skill, or ingenuity

the movie is a comic tour de force

Examples of tour de force in a Sentence

The book is a tour de force. Her performance in the play was a real tour de force.

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 complexity of the story required a tour de force. —

Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2024 An early clue that this Palm Beach County tour de force would be no typical home—and its owners no typical patrons—arrived in the form of stone slabs. —

Andrew Sessa, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2024 The Tony winner transforms into Satchmo in this astounding tour de force, which also features exuberant choreography and a splendid quartet of women playing the jazz great's wives. —

Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024 Related Video Madelyn Cline Counts ‘Friends’ Characters as Her Style Inspiration Gascón’s tour de force performance, by turns terrifying, sly, comic, and stirring—with singing and dancing to boot—has been duly embraced by critics. —

Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tour de force

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of tour de force was in 1802

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tour de force.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tour%20de%20force. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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