formidable

adjective

for·​mi·​da·​ble ˈfȯr-mə-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

formidability

ˌfȯr-mə-də-ˈbi-lə-tē 

fȯr-ˌmi-də-ˈbi-lə-tē

fər-ˌmi-də-ˈbi-lə-tē

noun

formidableness

ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl-nəs 

fȯr-ˈmi-də-bəl-nəs

fər-ˈmi-də-bəl-nəs

noun

formidably

ˈfȯr-mə-də-blē 

fȯr-ˈmi-də-blē

fər-ˈmi-də-blē

adverb

Synonyms

• alarming
• dire
• direful
• dread
• dreadful
• fearful
• fearsome
• forbidding
• frightening
• frightful
• ghastly
• hair-raising
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrifying
• intimidating
• redoubtable
• scary
• shocking
• spine-chilling
• terrible
• terrifying

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

While Malloy's candidacy represents a clear challenge to Sanders' decades-long dominance in Vermont politics, the senator's enduring popularity and political influence remain formidable. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Jones, who died on Sunday night at 91 in Los Angeles, had already been a formidable impresario in music and TV for decades before pairing up with Jackson, a former child prodigy struggling with his pivot into adulthood. —Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024

Saudi Arabia and the UAE could collaborate, turning the Gulf region into a formidable hydrogen production and export hub. —Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

William Campbell/Getty Images Senate Democrats are heading into Tuesday's elections facing the fight of their lives: defending a 51-49 majority with a map so formidable that Republicans have called it their best opportunity in a decade to gain ground. —Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin formidabilis, from formidare to fear, from formido terror, bogey; akin to Greek mormō bogey

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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

formidably

-blē 

adverb