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
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
Wang has $106,000 in independent support, the majority of it from Empower Oakland, a nonprofit co-founded by mayoral candidate Loren Taylor that has emerged as a formidable funding arm in the city’s politics.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
Cornyn is considered a formidable fundraiser; he’s brought in more than $415 million during his time in the Senate.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
For all their strong-arm tactics, these two carry themselves as formidable businessmen.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
The mini documentary covers everything from the prosthetics to the visual effects and stunt work deployed to bring these formidable foes to life.
—John Archer, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
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Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
Cornyn is considered a formidable fundraiser; he’s brought in more than $415 million during his time in the Senate.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
For all their strong-arm tactics, these two carry themselves as formidable businessmen.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
The mini documentary covers everything from the prosthetics to the visual effects and stunt work deployed to bring these formidable foes to life.
—John Archer, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Cite this Entry
“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formidable. Accessed 19 Apr. 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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