formidable
adjective
for·mi·da·ble
ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl 
fȯr-ˈmi-də-bəl
fȯr-ˈmi-də-bəl
fər-ˈmi-də-bəl
1
: causing fear, dread, or apprehension
a formidable prospect
2
: having qualities that discourage approach or attack
a formidable opponent
3
: tending to inspire awe or wonder : impressive
a formidable accomplishment
Synonyms
Examples of formidable in a Sentence
She was known throughout Manchester as a formidable woman, and being educated had only piled more formidability on top of what she had been born with.
—
Edward P. Jones, The Known World, 2003
The technology was formidable: using two and a half million rivets, 300 steeplejacks working flat out would run it up in the space of two years …
—Alistair Horne, Seven Ages of Paris, 2002
Alta is reached by a hairpin road that climbs steadily upward—a ride of thirty minutes or so, depending on road and weather conditions—through some of the most formidable mountain scenery in the country.
—Cynthia Zarin, New Yorker, 23 Mar. 1992
The mountains were a formidable barrier.
He has mastered a formidable amount of material.
Edward P. Jones, The Known World, 2003
The technology was formidable: using two and a half million rivets, 300 steeplejacks working flat out would run it up in the space of two years …
—Alistair Horne, Seven Ages of Paris, 2002
Alta is reached by a hairpin road that climbs steadily upward—a ride of thirty minutes or so, depending on road and weather conditions—through some of the most formidable mountain scenery in the country.
—Cynthia Zarin, New Yorker, 23 Mar. 1992
The mountains were a formidable barrier.
He has mastered a formidable amount of material.
Recent Examples on the Web
Fellow seniors Kyle Ashman, Noah Clarke and Jordan Ross form a formidable group of fourth-year players who have driven the Mustangs’ run over the last two seasons.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 29 Nov. 2024
Angela Lansbury played the formidable Lady Adelaide Stitch, the family’s great-aunt.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 29 Nov. 2024
The two-term congresswoman is a formidable fundraiser with deep ties to the Orange County GOP, including through her husband, Shawn Steel, the former chairman of the California Republican Party.
—Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
From December 5th through 11th, R House hosts a formidable exhibition in collaboration with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a global nonprofit leading the charge in HIV/AIDS care and advocacy.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for formidable 
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Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 29 Nov. 2024
Angela Lansbury played the formidable Lady Adelaide Stitch, the family’s great-aunt.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 29 Nov. 2024
The two-term congresswoman is a formidable fundraiser with deep ties to the Orange County GOP, including through her husband, Shawn Steel, the former chairman of the California Republican Party.
—Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
From December 5th through 11th, R House hosts a formidable exhibition in collaboration with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a global nonprofit leading the charge in HIV/AIDS care and advocacy.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for formidable
Dictionary Entries Near formidable
Cite this Entry
“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formidable. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
formidable
adjective
for·mi·da·ble
ˈfȯr-məd-ə-bəl
also
fȯr-ˈmid-
1
: causing fear or dread
a formidable foe
2
: offering serious difficulties
the mountains were a formidable barrier
3
: very impressive
had won a formidable number of medals
formidableness
noun
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