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
Accompanied by a versatile backing band of no less than 30 musicians, Wonder — clad in demin and a black Detroit Tigers cap — soared through his extensive repertoire, showing off his formidable abilities as a musician as well as his love for his audience.
—Caryn Rose, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024
Horowitz has built a formidable e-commerce business, which now makes up 50% of company sales.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2024
An underlying theme of those lawsuits has been that Combs, who already has a troubled history with abuse allegations, did not act alone and was enabled by a network of people in his formidable empire.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024
These organizations, which are all full of movers and machers, have become a formidable bloc of support for the Harris-Walz campaign.
—Jazmine Hughes, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for formidable 
Caryn Rose, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024
Horowitz has built a formidable e-commerce business, which now makes up 50% of company sales.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2024
An underlying theme of those lawsuits has been that Combs, who already has a troubled history with abuse allegations, did not act alone and was enabled by a network of people in his formidable empire.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024
These organizations, which are all full of movers and machers, have become a formidable bloc of support for the Harris-Walz campaign.
—Jazmine Hughes, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for formidable
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'formidable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near formidable
Cite this Entry
“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formidable. Accessed 4 Nov. 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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