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
Recognizing that Joe Biden might be a formidable opponent in 2020, Trump also asked Zelenskyy to investigate the Biden family.
—David French, The Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2024
Experts have said the pager operation was likely carried out by Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, the Mossad, which has a worldwide reputation as one of the most formidable intelligence agencies.
—Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 19 Sep. 2024
Elijah Smith Smith had to dig deep to overcome fatigue and a formidable opponent in the night's final fight.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
Observers say Pressley didn't become a target for ouster because she's established a formidable political operation at home and is in step with her constituents on major issues.
—Mike Deehan, Axios, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for formidable 
David French, The Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2024
Experts have said the pager operation was likely carried out by Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, the Mossad, which has a worldwide reputation as one of the most formidable intelligence agencies.
—Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 19 Sep. 2024
Elijah Smith Smith had to dig deep to overcome fatigue and a formidable opponent in the night's final fight.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
Observers say Pressley didn't become a target for ouster because she's established a formidable political operation at home and is in step with her constituents on major issues.
—Mike Deehan, Axios, 12 Sep. 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 26 Sep. 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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