fearsome

[ feer-suhm ]

adjective

1. causing fear:

   a fearsome noise.

2. causing awe or respect:

   a fearsome self-confidence.

3. afraid; timid.

fearsome

/ ˈfɪəsəm /

adjective

1. frightening
2. timorous; afraid

Derived Forms

• ˈfearsomely, adverb
• ˈfearsomeness, noun

Other Words From

• fearsome·ly adverb
• fearsome·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fearsome¹

First recorded in 1760–70; fear + -some ¹

Example Sentences

Canada might not be particularly fearsome on paper but, as they showed last year, are greater than the sum of their parts.

From BBC

But Jackie remained in the small Pennsylvania town where he tried to hide from another fearsome vampire because he really liked the people who lived there.

From Salon

Co-author of a book Racist Tones, documenting stories of racism from parts of the 1970s and 80s, she said football crowds were particularly fearsome.

From BBC

A fearsome fire ripped through a Temple City home Sunday evening, killing three people and critically wounding two others, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

Bulls are a symbol of virility and manhood in Hispanic culture, and the Bull — thick-built, hard-charging, yet graceful in his attack — manifested that fearsome animal through most of his career with the Blue Crew.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• awe-inspiring
• awesome
• formidable
• frightening
• frightful
• horrible
• intimidating
• powerful
• scary
• terrible
• terrifying