a fearsome sight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fearsome sight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is intimidating or impressive in appearance, often evoking a sense of awe or fear. Example: "The storm clouds gathered on the horizon, creating a fearsome sight that made everyone pause in apprehension."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A fearsome sight, its blinking red lights sending shadowy colors through mists surrounding it.

The New Yorker

Though a fearsome sight to many, the hornets' nest is actually a paragon of eusocial behavior, a way of creating and procreating practiced by some animals that for a while befuddled Darwin.

The New York Times

Dressed in embroidered robes and wearing elaborately tied turbans indicating lineage, the horsemen make a fearsome sight, giving off a heady waft of horse, mothballs and sweat.Young boys in scruffy T-shirts watch from tree tops as the sons of the elite parade by.

The Economist

What a fearsome sight it must have been.

Forbes

With a wingspan of 2.5 to 3 meters and weighing in at 10 to 14 kilograms, it must have been a fearsome sight for New Zealand's first human settlers, some 700 years ago.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

No doubt it's a fairly fearsome sight to behold a man the size of a tobacco warehouse lunging at you.

The New York Times

It's a beautiful, fearsome sight.

The Guardian - Books

Not that Mitchell Johnson is not a genuinely fearsome sight when he bowls quickly and accurately, as he did here again in the morning and afternoon sessions, producing at will that horrible throat ball, the ankle-rapping slingshot-yorker and inbetween a relentlessly tight line on off stump.

The Guardian - Sport

Fearsome sight in full flight.

BBC

There are few more fearsome sights for a defender in rugby than Alesana Tuilagi coming towards you at full speed.

The Guardian - Sport

Hersey sought the truth, the fearsome sights and sounds of a raped city; he sought the foundation for historians who would come after him.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fearsome sight" to vividly describe something that inspires both fear and respect due to its appearance or presence. It is particularly effective when emphasizing the power or potential danger of a subject.

Common error

Avoid using "a fearsome sight" for situations that are merely unpleasant or undesirable. The phrase implies a significant degree of intimidation or dread, not just mild discomfort or annoyance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fearsome sight" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. It is used to describe something visually striking and intimidating.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a fearsome sight" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to describe something that inspires both fear and awe. According to Ludwig, it's most frequently found in News & Media contexts. While there are several alternative phrases that can convey similar meanings, such as "an intimidating spectacle" or "a terrifying view", each carries slightly different nuances. When using "a fearsome sight", ensure the situation genuinely evokes a sense of dread and respect, not just mild discomfort. The limited number of real-world examples suggests it should be used judiciously for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an intimidating spectacle

Replaces 'sight' with 'spectacle' to focus on a visually impressive but possibly alarming display; changes 'fearsome' to 'intimidating' for a slightly less intense effect.

a terrifying view

Substitutes 'fearsome' with 'terrifying' to amplify the sense of dread or horror that the sight evokes; 'view' replaces 'sight' to keep the visual aspect.

an awe-inspiring vision

Replaces 'fearsome' with 'awe-inspiring' to focus on the impressive and majestic qualities of the sight, rather than its frightening aspects; changes 'sight' to 'vision'.

a dreadful scene

Uses 'dreadful' in place of 'fearsome' to emphasize the unpleasant or shocking nature of what is seen; swaps 'sight' for 'scene'.

an alarming display

Emphasizes the warning or concerning nature of what is being observed, changing 'fearsome' to 'alarming' and 'sight' to 'display'.

an imposing presence

Shifts the focus from visual impact to a more general sense of dominance or authority, changing 'sight' to 'presence' and 'fearsome' to 'imposing'.

a formidable appearance

Focuses on the impressive and possibly threatening outward look of something, using 'formidable' instead of 'fearsome' and 'appearance' instead of 'sight'.

a daunting prospect

Shifts the context from a visual experience to an anticipation of something challenging or intimidating, changing the overall implication.

a menacing image

Replaces 'fearsome' with 'menacing' to highlight the threatening quality and 'sight' with 'image' for a visual representation.

an ominous spectacle

Uses 'ominous' to suggest something bad is going to happen and 'spectacle' instead of 'sight'.

FAQs

How can I use "a fearsome sight" in a sentence?

Use "a fearsome sight" to describe something that evokes both fear and respect because of its size, power, or appearance. For example, "The approaching storm was "a fearsome sight", filling the sky with dark clouds".

What's a less intense alternative to "a fearsome sight"?

If you want to convey a less intense feeling, consider using phrases like "an intimidating spectacle" or "an alarming display". These alternatives still suggest something impressive but with a reduced sense of dread.

Is it appropriate to use "a fearsome sight" to describe a person?

Yes, you can use "a fearsome sight" to describe a person if they possess a particularly imposing or intimidating presence. For example, "The warrior, scarred and battle-worn, was "a fearsome sight" to behold".

What's the difference between "a fearsome sight" and "a terrifying view"?

"A fearsome sight" implies something that inspires both fear and respect, whereas "a terrifying view" primarily emphasizes the fear or horror that the scene evokes. The former might be used to describe a powerful natural phenomenon, while the latter might describe the scene of an accident.