tour de force

noun

ˌtu̇r-də-ˈfȯrs 

plural tours de force ˌtu̇r-də-ˈfȯrs 

: a feat or display of strength, skill, or ingenuity

the movie is a comic tour de force

Synonyms

• deed
• exploit
• feat
• number
• stunt
• trick

Examples of tour de force in a Sentence

The book is a tour de force.

Her performance in the play was a real tour de force.

Recent Examples on the Web

Whereas Fences was a Denzel tour de force, The Piano Lesson showcases a new generation of Washington talents: His son Malcolm directs the movie; his son John David stars as Berniece’s brother, Boy Willie; and his daughter Katia is an executive producer. —Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024

The deadly chariot race, a nearly 15-minute-long tour de force of practical effects and daring stunts, is one of the best action sequences ever filmed (if not the best). —James Grebey, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024

Hamilton’s questioning of Baker was a tour de force. —John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025

His other designs include Fiat’s 124 Spider—under Pininfarina—and his Ferrari 365 California Spider, which was a tour de force, as was his first-gen Ford Fiesta, in its own way. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above