formidable

adjective for·mi·da·ble \ ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl ; fȯr-ˈmi- , fər-ˈmi- \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of formidable

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

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formidability

play \ˌfȯr-mə-də-ˈbi-lə-tē; fȯr-ˌmi-, fər-ˌmi-\ noun

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formidableness

play \ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl-nəs; fȯr-ˈmi-, fər-ˈmi-\ noun

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formidably

play \ˈfȯr-mə-də-blē; fȯr-ˈmi-, fər-ˈmi-\ adverb

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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.

Recent Examples of formidable from the Web

In rural America, the cultural barriers for Democrats remain formidable.

— ronald brownstein, CNN, "Trade war threatens the GOP's firewall in 2018," 10 Apr. 2018
The returning line lost only one starter from a year ago so the influx of junior college transfers and backups from last year should give the Blazers a formidable if not arguably one of the best lines in C-USA.

— AL.com, "5 key takeaways from UAB spring game," 7 Apr. 2018
Kobalt, though, has proved formidable in terms of raising funding, and has the systems to handle EMI from an administration standpoint.

— ed christman, Billboard, "EMI FAQ: A Beginner's Guide to What Could Be This Summer's Biggest Music Industry Auction," 6 Apr. 2018
So, here’s a little help: Johnathan Williams, Killian Tillie and Rui Hachimura are formidable up front, and Silas Melson and Josh Perkins give Gonzaga a starting backcourt comprising a senior and a redshirt junior.

— steve berkowitz, USA TODAY, "NCAA tournament bracket: 2018 March Madness West region capsules," 11 Mar. 2018
Finding itself between the nuclear-armed U.S. and the Soviet Union, Sweden amassed one of the Cold War's most powerful coastal defenses and a formidable, high-tech military featuring some 1,000 aircraft.

— alexander smith, NBC News, "Sweden plans to build more bunkers amid fears of Russian aggression," 6 Mar. 2018
Combine all of that with further improvement on defense and the Raptors have become an even more formidable force.

— matt velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Bucks ready for the difficult stretch that awaits them out of the break," 22 Feb. 2018
When Ford returned to Le Mans in 1967 with four Mark IVs, ready to combat Ferrari’s new and formidable P4, there was at least one American driver in each of the cars.

— davey g. johnson, Car and Driver, "Jam Master J-12: Ford GT40 Mark IV Heading to Auction in Florida," 8 Feb. 2018
The combination of that puzzle-box structure with heartfelt, detailed character writing has proved formidable.

— emma dibdin, Esquire, "Television’s Most Beloved Dead Man Walking," 5 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'formidable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.