formidable

adjective

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for·mi·da·ble | \ ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl

; fȯr-ˈmi-, fər-ˈmi-

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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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 on the Web However, that defense has proven just as formidable through two shutouts. — Matt Goul, cleveland, "Defenses ahead of game could be the difference by football season’s end," 7 Sep. 2020 Six years later, sentimentality remains an obstacle, but there’s another obstacle, just as formidable: Practicality. — Laurie Hertzel, Star Tribune, "Bookmark: Where to begin downsizing when you have thousands of books?," 14 Aug. 2020 The 87-year-old justice was a tireless and formidable figure in American law—an impressive jurist during her nearly three decades on the Supreme Court and a groundbreaking advocate for women’s rights throughout her entire legal career. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "How to End the Judicial Wars, Once and for All," 23 Sep. 2020 The most formidable and enduring are those that find constitutional violations. — Ofer Raban, The Conversation, "It’s still a conservative Supreme Court, even after recent liberal decisions – here’s why," 14 Sep. 2020 Better to play the odds on the road against a formidable opponent. — Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, "One game into his Cowboys tenure, Mike McCarthy’s honeymoon phase is already over," 14 Sep. 2020 In the futuristic series — about two androids tasked with raising human children — Fimmel plays the mysterious and formidable Marcus, a man with a troubled past. — Kara Warner, PEOPLE.com, "Vikings Alum Travis Fimmel on Raised by Wolves and Enjoying Quarantine on His Farm," 3 Sep. 2020 On Wednesday evening, the Bucks were set to play Game Five of their first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic—they were expected to win, finishing off the series, and to turn their attention to their next, more formidable opponent. — Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, "The Exhilarating Jolt of the Milwaukee Bucks’ Wildcat Strike," 27 Aug. 2020 The president claims the Democratic nominee has used the pandemic as an excuse to take refuge in the basement of his Delaware home and avoid the rigors of the campaign, contrasting himself as physically formidable and mentally sharp. — David M. Drucker, Washington Examiner, "Matt Gaetz revs up MAGA faithful at GOP convention," 24 Aug. 2020

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.