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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fearsome
But behind the fearsome appearance of saber teeth lies a conundrum.
—
Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 21 Jan. 2025
Despite its fearsome reputation, the fer-de-lance is shy and prefers to avoid human interaction.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
That meant six hours of makeup for Bill Skarsgård to become the fearsome Count Orlok, a traditional orchestra of strings for composer Robin Carolan and more than 60 sets from production designer Craig Lathrop.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 27 Dec. 2024
With long snouts and crocodile-like hands, spinosaurids were large, fearsome predators that dominated the mid-Cretaceous period.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fearsome 
Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 21 Jan. 2025
Despite its fearsome reputation, the fer-de-lance is shy and prefers to avoid human interaction.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
That meant six hours of makeup for Bill Skarsgård to become the fearsome Count Orlok, a traditional orchestra of strings for composer Robin Carolan and more than 60 sets from production designer Craig Lathrop.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 27 Dec. 2024
With long snouts and crocodile-like hands, spinosaurids were large, fearsome predators that dominated the mid-Cretaceous period.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fearsome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fearsome
Adjective
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In any case, Spanberger could be a formidable opponent.—
Ross O'Keefe,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Feb. 2025
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Driving the news: Berger has successfully staved off challengers for more than two decades, but Page could prove to be a formidable primary opponent should the two face off next year.—
Lucille Sherman,
Axios,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But that independence, and particularly the eye-opening success that EMPIRE has experienced over the past few years, has also brought scrutiny — and tests of Ghazi’s commitment, particularly during a time of intense consolidation in the music business.—
Dan Rys,
Billboard,
11 Feb. 2025
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With rain that could be intense enough to cause #mudslides.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Trump could instead lead with Vice President JD Vance’s promise: Boost the Child Tax Credit to $5,000 per child for young families, a progressive idea submitted by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) last week in a timid insurgency by Republican moderates who prefer to lift middling Americans.—
Bruce Fuller,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Feb. 2025
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Thus far this season, Sheppard, averaging 11.6 minutes per game, has struggled to get acclimated, often appearing timid and indecisive with the basketball.—
Rahat Huq,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Irving spent the night venturing off on his own, falling asleep in the forest with terrifying hallucinations.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2025
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In its place is the Terran Empire, a brutal and colonizing force that encapsulates the terrifying darkness of this alternative world.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Veteran San Diego actor Rosina Reynolds is the cast standout in her icy, fierce and acerbic performance as the uncompromising Polly.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2025
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Together, Toothless and Hiccup soar through the sky, barreling past rocky cliffs and roaring oceans and flying far above fierce battles as the music swells.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This is scary data for Rancho Palos Verdes residents: last year, officials warned that more than 100 homes in the community were at risk of slipping into the ocean.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
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Listen to this article These days, Andrew’s Mason Moore can be a pretty scary sight for an opponent.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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What ensues is an incredibly artful dance between frightening violence and slapstick humor that reveals both Ani’s inner steel and Igor’s integrity—two strong hooks into the film as a whole.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2025
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For someone living in that position, life can be frightening and overwhelming.—
Bahíyyah Maroon,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Since the two Secret Service agents tried to enter Hamline, Trump has targeted Chicago with an intensive set of raids that swept up people with criminal records and also those with none at all.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, Gaza—largely destroyed by intensive Israeli bombing and ground operations—would need to be rebuilt and overhauled, including slotting in new financial, health care, education and judicial systems, the think tank said.—
Ellie Cook,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near fearsome
Cite this Entry
“Fearsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fearsome. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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