すさまじい

すさまじい describes something so extreme or intense that it inspires awe, fear, or disbelief. It carries a stronger and more literary tone than すごい.

Forms

• すさまじく (adverbial): すさまじく速(はや)い (terrifyingly fast)
• すさまじさ (noun form): 爆発(ばくはつ)のすさまじさ (the ferocity of the explosion)

Writing

Can be written as 凄(すさ)まじい, though hiragana is more common in modern usage.

Common collocations

• すさまじい勢(いきお)い: tremendous force/momentum
• すさまじい競争(きょうそう): fierce competition
• すさまじい音(おと): tremendous noise
• すさまじい破壊力(はかいりょく): devastating destructive power

Similar words

• すごい: amazing, terrible (more casual, wider range of use)
• 激(はげ)しい: intense, violent (often for weather, emotions, movement)
• 猛烈(もうれつ): fierce, furious (more formal, often in writing)