formidable
adjective
for·mi·da·ble
ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl 
fȯr-ˈmi-də-bəl
fȯr-ˈmi-də-bəl
fər-ˈmi-də-bəl
1
: causing fear, dread, or apprehension
a formidable prospect
2
: having qualities that discourage approach or attack
a formidable opponent
3
: tending to inspire awe or wonder : impressive
a formidable accomplishment
Examples of formidable in a Sentence
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.
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
The renowned American sculptor was more accessible at a smaller scale with a formidable presence at TEFAF New York.
—Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Hewitt had formidable ammunition in waging his wars.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 8 May 2025
Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Cobb brings a formidable and unique resume to WWE, built across multiple major promotions.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
Moments after hyping the formidable line-up of specials and hosts — The American Music Awards (Jennifer Lopez), The Tonys (Cynthia Erivo), The Emmys (Nate Bargatze), The Golden Globes (Nikki Glaser) — the conversation veered into the network’s loss of the Grammys telecast.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
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Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Hewitt had formidable ammunition in waging his wars.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 8 May 2025
Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Cobb brings a formidable and unique resume to WWE, built across multiple major promotions.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
Moments after hyping the formidable line-up of specials and hosts — The American Music Awards (Jennifer Lopez), The Tonys (Cynthia Erivo), The Emmys (Nate Bargatze), The Golden Globes (Nikki Glaser) — the conversation veered into the network’s loss of the Grammys telecast.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Cite this Entry
“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formidable. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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