Synonyms for fearsome
- adjective
Most common
Definitions
- adj. 1
Frightening, especially in appearance.
She gave him a fearsome glare.
Example sentences
- terrible Terrible shooting broke out the night before last.
- frightening I was terrified of receiving a frightening answer.
- dreadful Something dreadful has happened to Miss Davidson.
- fearful “People are very fearful of the virus,” he added.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| fearsome | rising | |
| terrible | rising | |
| frightening | rising | |
| dreadful | rising | |
| fearful | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- dire1
- 5 letters
- awful2, dread1
- 7 letters
- fearful2, dreaded2, direful
- 8 letters
- terrible3, horrific3, dreadful2, alarming3, gruesome2
- 9 letters
- appalling3, frightful2
- 10 letters
- formidable4, horrendous3
- 11 letters
- frightening3
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (awful2 = 2 syllables).