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
Just a few generations ago, many young children died from infectious diseases, which are still formidable foes globally.
—Brooke Redmond, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
The formidable musician and actor, a muse to many but so much more than that moniker allows, a style icon, and a megawatt star of the Swinging Sixties—with the coolest eyewear to match.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2025
Still, Olympia’s formidable presence seems impossible for Jacobson & Moore to part with — especially considering her growing bond with show namesake Matty Matlock (Kathy Bates).
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 Jan. 2025
Up until Gomez was not nominated for an Oscar for her Emilia Pérez performance, her fans (the formidable Selenators) were waging a high-octane war with the Arianators, the fearsome stan army of Ariana Grande.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for formidable 
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Brooke Redmond, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
The formidable musician and actor, a muse to many but so much more than that moniker allows, a style icon, and a megawatt star of the Swinging Sixties—with the coolest eyewear to match.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2025
Still, Olympia’s formidable presence seems impossible for Jacobson & Moore to part with — especially considering her growing bond with show namesake Matty Matlock (Kathy Bates).
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 Jan. 2025
Up until Gomez was not nominated for an Oscar for her Emilia Pérez performance, her fans (the formidable Selenators) were waging a high-octane war with the Arianators, the fearsome stan army of Ariana Grande.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025
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 7 Feb. 2025.
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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