fearsome
Inspiring great dread
Fearsome describes something that inspires fear or dread—a fearsome opponent, a fearsome reputation, a fearsome storm.
The word suggests the thing itself is formidable, not merely frightening in appearance.
A fearsome creature poses real danger; a scary costume just looks alarming.
The dog had a fearsome bark but was gentle with children.
Extreme, overwhelming fear
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- frightSudden intense fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
nightmare · phobia · trepidation · apprehension · anxiety · unease · distress · anguish
Expressing intent to harm
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- menacingConveying threat or danger
baleful · malevolent · dire · grim · chilling · eerie · creepy · spooky
Aggressively asserting control
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
- commandingExerting strong authority
- authoritativeHaving recognized expertise
- imposingImpressively grand in scale
stern · steely · glowering · piercing · unnerving · disconcerting · daunting · forbidding
Having great strength
- mightyHaving great power
- imposingImpressively grand in scale
- dauntingDiscouraging through difficulty
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
invincible · indomitable · unstoppable · towering · colossal · massive · hulking · gargantuan
Fierce and untamed
- ferociousExtremely violent or aggressive
- viciousCruelly aggressive in nature
- brutalSavagely harsh or severe
- violentInvolving physical force
predatory · bloodthirsty · ruthless · merciless · relentless · aggressive · wild · beastly
terror
Extreme, overwhelming fear
panic · nightmare · phobia · trepidation · apprehension · anxiety · unease · distress · anguish · despair
threatening
Expressing intent to harm
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
menacing · baleful · malevolent · dire · grim · chilling · eerie · creepy · spooky · haunting
domineering
Aggressively asserting control
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
- commandingExerting strong authority
- authoritativeHaving recognized expertise
imposing · stern · steely · glowering · piercing · unnerving · disconcerting · daunting · forbidding · off-putting
powerful
Having great strength
overwhelming · invincible · indomitable · unstoppable · towering · colossal · massive · hulking · gargantuan · monolithic
savage
Fierce and untamed
- ferociousExtremely violent or aggressive
- viciousCruelly aggressive in nature
- brutalSavagely harsh or severe
violent · predatory · bloodthirsty · ruthless · merciless · relentless · aggressive · wild · beastly · feral
- feardread, afraid, fright, frightened, panic
- fairytale adjectivesmagical, enchanted, wicked, cursed, charming
- menacingthreatening, intimidating, menacing, ominous, sinister
- scary feelingsterrified, frightening, dreadful, creepiness, goosebumps
- Dragonsdragon egg, dragon breath, dragonfire, dragon dance, baby dragon
- creature traitsclaws, fangs, horns, scales, talons
fearsomecomforting
Giving emotional ease
soothing · reassuring · calming · consoling · relaxing
fearsomeharmless
Causing no injury
nonthreatening · unthreatening · unalarming · safe · inviting
fearsomeunimpressive
Failing to inspire admiration
mild · gentle · unimposing · unintimidating · unremarkable
- fearsome creatureScary, dangerous entity