fearsome

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'fearsome' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate something that is intimidating or frightening. Example: She was a fearsome warrior, renowned for her courage and strength.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ryan, meanwhile, has a reputation as a whizz-kid with a fearsome intellect.

The Guardian

This was Shelby, a landscape of clapboard Baptist churches and faceless corporate franchises, where one man, acting in almost total isolation, had over a period of eight years cemented his reputation as the most fearsome digital pirate of all.

The Guardian - Books

Tahar appears as a fearsome warrior from unconquered Scotland during the Roman occupation.

The Guardian - Film

How, then, in a country that leads the world in road fatalities – more than a million have been killed in the past 10 years – could a motorway have earned such a fearsome reputation among drivers for whom Delhi's anarchic traffic conditions are normal?

The Guardian - Travel

A slab of game terrine is beautifully flavoured, its intensity matched only by a pretty fearsome homemade piccalilli.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In total, he scored 19 goals for his country, exploiting his pace, power and fearsome right-footed drive.

The Guardian

Eamon Dunphy is probably best known to readers outside of Ireland for co-writing Roy Keane's fearsome autobiography.

The Guardian - Sport

Most of them had been brought up by fearsome women of authority: nannies, matrons, distant and detached mothers, whom one did not challenge or disobey.

The Guardian

Engel, like everyone else on the planet, had expected to see a few minutes of fearsome boxing from Tyson and a fifth defeat for Douglas.

The Guardian - Sport

Wasn't it Lyra Belacqua who rode astride the fearsome armoured bear Iorek Byrnison to Svalbard?

The Guardian - Arts

The question is whether O'Malley, facing just as fearsome odds in the race for the 2016 Democratic nomination, can give Clinton the same run for her money.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fearsome" to describe something that inspires dread or terror due to its appearance, power, or reputation. Ensure the context aligns with this sense of awe and intimidation.

Common error

Avoid using "fearsome" when "difficult" or "challenging" would be more appropriate. "Fearsome" implies a high degree of terror, not just inconvenience or mild negativity.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "fearsome" primarily functions to describe nouns that inspire fear, dread, or terror. It is commonly used to characterize subjects known for their intimidating qualities, as supported by Ludwig's examples of "fearsome warrior" and "fearsome storm".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "fearsome" is a powerful descriptor used to convey a sense of dread, terror, or awe. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "fearsome" effectively emphasizes the intensity of fear or intimidation, it should be reserved for subjects that genuinely inspire such emotions, avoiding overuse in mildly negative scenarios. Alternatives like "intimidating", "terrifying", and "daunting" can offer nuanced variations depending on the intended message. This detailed analysis, incorporating insights from authoritative sources, ensures a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively use "fearsome" in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frightening

A general term for causing fear; less intense than "terrifying".

terrifying

Emphasizes the act of causing extreme fear.

menacing

Focuses on presenting a threat or danger.

intimidating

Focuses on the ability to make someone afraid or timid, often through power or authority.

dreadful

Suggests causing great fear or apprehension.

formidable

Stresses inspiring fear by being impressively large, powerful, or capable.

horrifying

Focuses on causing intense disgust or shock, combined with fear.

daunting

Highlights the characteristic of discouraging through fear.

alarming

Emphasizes causing worry or concern due to potential danger.

awful

Implies something extremely unpleasant or bad, which can cause fear.

FAQs

How can I use "fearsome" in a sentence?

You can use "fearsome" to describe something that inspires dread or terror, such as "a fearsome warrior" or "a fearsome storm".

What are some alternatives to the word "fearsome"?

Alternatives to "fearsome" include "intimidating", "terrifying", or "daunting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "fearsome" to describe a slightly negative situation?

While "fearsome" implies something highly intimidating, it is more appropriate to use words like "difficult" or "challenging" for mildly negative situations.

What is the difference between "fearsome" and "frightening"?

"Fearsome" suggests a deeper sense of dread and awe, while "frightening" is a more general term for something that causes fear.