formidable

[fawr-mi-duh-buhl, fawr-mid-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. causing fear, apprehension, or dread.

   a formidable opponent.

   Synonyms: horrible, frightful, fearful, menacing, threatening, appalling, dreadful
   Antonyms: pleasant

2. of discouraging or awesome strength, size, difficulty, etc.; intimidating.

   a formidable problem.

3. arousing feelings of awe or admiration because of grandeur, strength, etc.

4. of great strength; forceful; powerful.

   formidable opposition to the proposal.

formidable

/ ˈfɔːmɪdəbəl /

adjective

1. arousing or likely to inspire fear or dread

2. extremely difficult to defeat, overcome, manage, etc

   a formidable problem

3. tending to inspire awe or admiration because of great size, strength, excellence, etc

Other Word Forms

• formidableness noun
• formidability 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of formidable¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from French, from Latin formīdābilis “causing fear,” from formīd(āre) “to fear” + -ābilis -able

Word History and Origins

Origin of formidable¹

C15: from Latin formīdābilis , from formīdāre to dread, from formīdō fear

Example Sentences

“We know the Ellisons are formidable, powerful and have a lot of resources,” said the Paramount employee.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

All bullpen issues aside, after brushing aside the Reds, the Dodgers are looking mighty formidable.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Even when he’s been fiery, nearly frothing at the mouth, Day-Lewis has always been a master of stillness, relying on his tall, taut frame to hint at the formidable power or menace underneath.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"She was formidable and it's incredibly shocking news, because she completely changed how we think about other species and how we think about ourselves - she challenged human exceptionalism," he said.

Read more on BBC

The trust's website says Penrhyn Castle's "formidable architecture, opulent interiors and fine art collection lean on a long history of sugar and slate fortunes, social unrest and the longest-running industrial dispute in British history".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• awesome 
• dangerous 
• daunting 
• dire 
• dreadful 
• fierce 
• imposing 
• intimidating 
• menacing 
• terrific