formidable

1 of 2

adjective

for·​mi·​da·​ble ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl  fȯr-ˈmi-də-bəl 

fər-ˈmi-də-bəl

1

: causing fear, dread, or apprehension : very difficult to deal with

a formidable challenge

The mountains were a formidable barrier.

2

: having qualities that discourage approach or attack : very powerful or strong

a formidable enemy/opponent/weapon

3

: tending to inspire awe or wonder : impressive

a formidable accomplishment

formidability

ˌfȯr-mə-də-ˈbi-lə-tē 

fȯr-ˌmi-də-ˈbi-lə-tē, 

fər-ˌmi-də-ˈbi-lə-tē

noun

formidableness

ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl-nəs 

fȯr-ˈmi-də-bəl-nəs, 

fər-ˈmi-də-bəl-nəs

noun

formidably

ˈfȯr-mə-də-blē 

fȯr-ˈmi-də-blē, 

fər-ˈmi-də-blē

adverb

a formidably long list

formidability

2 of 2

noun

for·​mi·​da·​bil·​i·​ty ˌfȯ(r)mə̇dəˈbilətē 

-ətē, 

-i

plural -es

: formidable quality

a formidability, in both size and substance, which must have deterred many readers

—Times Literary Supplement

Synonyms of formidable

Adjective

• terrifying
• frightening
• scary
• terrible
• horrible
• intimidating

Examples of formidable in a Sentence

Adjective

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

After another solid season in 2021, injuries and sub-par play eventually led to an exit from the NFL, but Robinson has made a pretty formidable case for a return with his play in his UFL debut campaign. —Juan Carlos Blanco, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Studio had some formidable shoes to fill, replacing the eponymous and long-beloved French fine-dining institution that had defined special-occasion fine dining in Laguna Beach for more than twenty years. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026

The two men — both well cast — team up to go mano-a-mano against one formidable foe after another. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 11 June 2026

Sports fans at Rambling House will be tuned into big screens and a formidable beer list that starts with Guinness. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin formidabilis, from formidare to fear, from formido terror, bogey; akin to Greek mormō bogey

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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

formidably

-blē 

adverb