formidable
Americanadjective
-
causing fear, apprehension, or dread.
a formidable opponent.
- Antonyms:
- pleasant
-
of discouraging or awesome strength, size, difficulty, etc.; intimidating.
a formidable problem.
-
arousing feelings of awe or admiration because of grandeur, strength, etc.
-
of great strength; forceful; powerful.
formidable opposition to the proposal.
adjective
-
arousing or likely to inspire fear or dread
-
extremely difficult to defeat, overcome, manage, etc
a formidable problem
-
tending to inspire awe or admiration because of great size, strength, excellence, etc
Other Word Forms
- formidability noun
- formidableness noun
- formidably adverb
- nonformidability noun
- nonformidable adjective
- nonformidableness noun
- nonformidably adverb
- quasi-formidable adjective
- quasi-formidably adverb
- superformidable adjective
- superformidableness noun
- superformidably adverb
- unformidable adjective
- unformidableness noun
- unformidably adverb
Etymology
Origin of formidable
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from French, from Latin formīdābilis “causing fear,” from formīd(āre) “to fear” + -ābilis -able
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Our consumer business worked to overcome formidable challenges," rotating chairwoman Meng Wanzhou said in Tuesday's report, noting also that Huawei was "moving toward a future that is full of uncertainty".
From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026
With four decades of experience under her belt and more enduring roles than most actors get in an entire career, Gellar has long proven herself a formidable presence across film and television.
From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026
Taylor, born James Wesley Voight in Yonkers, N.Y., in 1940, was actor Jon Voight’s brother, but built a formidable music career outside of his famous sibling’s shadow.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026
The books feature magical characters living in the tree such as the gentle Moonface, played by Nonso Anozie, and the formidable teacher Dame Snap, played by Rebecca Ferguson.
From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026
Hillary Clinton was a serious and formidable opponent.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
