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

The Springboks have showcased their formidable depth and power yet Erasmus pointed to when they were ranked sixth.

Read more on BBC

Meanwhile, the rise of formidable local rivals has crowded the market and driven vicious price wars, eating into profit margins.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Rassie Erasmus is denied the services of several players for the autumn finale, which is outside World Rugby's official Test window, but still names a formidable side for Cardiff.

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Mr. Ruddy may be worried that relaxing the ownership cap would let conservative broadcasters Sinclair and Nexstar Media Group become more formidable competitors to his network.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Then his administration might have been truly formidable in getting things done that would deliver lasting value for the American people.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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