formidable
- causing fear, apprehension, or dread: a formidable opponent.
- 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.
Origin of formidable
Synonyms for formidable
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comAntonyms for formidable
Related Words for formidable
dreadful, intimidating, imposing, dangerous, impregnable, terrific, menacing, dire, fierce, daunting, great, tough, impressive, tremendous, arduous, awesome, powerful, onerous, challenging, appallingExamples from the Web for formidable
Contemporary Examples of formidable
But while the obstacles to evidence-based governance are formidable, they are not insurmountable.
At Michigan, he would be a formidable recruiter, able to evoke the tradition of his former iconic coach, Bo Schembechler.
She has been formidable from start to finish, and is one of the hardest workers in the company.
William, Kate, and Jay Z’s Favorite Art Star: Alexander Gilkes' World of Rock Stars and RoyaltyTim Teeman
December 10, 2014
Mired in ideological warfare, America faces her most formidable opponent yet— herself.
But the settlers are a formidable constituency and felt threatened having all those Palestinians around.
Historical Examples of formidable
We are, however, attributing too much to this formidable power.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. IFrancis Augustus Cox
The feeling of a prudent man for an enemy who is too formidable safely to be opposed.
The Devil's DictionaryAmbrose Bierce
Each measured the other, and they were formidable antagonists, well matched.
The Rock of ChickamaugaJoseph A. Altsheler
We had laid in this formidable implement in hopes of a big muscallunge.
The ForestStewart Edward White
The thicket, before so formidable, amounted to nothing at all.
The ForestStewart Edward White
formidable
- arousing or likely to inspire fear or dread
- extremely difficult to defeat, overcome, manage, etca formidable problem
- tending to inspire awe or admiration because of great size, strength, excellence, etc
Word Origin for formidable
Word Origin and History for formidable
mid-15c., from Middle French formidable (15c.), from Latin formidabilis "causing fear, terrible," from formidare "to fear," from formido "fearfulness, fear, terror, dread." Related: Formidably.