1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a formidable, irascible old man who frightened the neighborhood children
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2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
running a marathon is a formidable undertaking
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Examples of formidable in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With a formidable, more-than-two-decade-long career under her belt and no less than four Academy Award nominations to her name, the Irish industry stalwart already feels overdue a moment on the Oscars stage—despite being only 30.
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Radhika Seth, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2024
Ani, clearly in over her head, is the one stuck defending their relationship to Ivan's formidable mother (Darya Ekamasova), a heavily lacquered example of femininity post-perestroika.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024
As the Cleveland Guardians present a formidable challenge to the right-handed pitcher who starts Game Two of the American League Championship Series, motivation will come from the bitter taste of previous postseason failures still lingering in his mouth.
—Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
In reality, the slant was just 25 degrees, but even a knoll seems formidable under the strain of psychic baggage.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for formidable 
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2024
Ani, clearly in over her head, is the one stuck defending their relationship to Ivan's formidable mother (Darya Ekamasova), a heavily lacquered example of femininity post-perestroika.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024
As the Cleveland Guardians present a formidable challenge to the right-handed pitcher who starts Game Two of the American League Championship Series, motivation will come from the bitter taste of previous postseason failures still lingering in his mouth.
—Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
In reality, the slant was just 25 degrees, but even a knoll seems formidable under the strain of psychic baggage.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 15 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.
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“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formidable. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
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