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 : 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
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 service Aside from a formidable restaurant and spa, the service sets this hotel apart from other country boutiques in Sicily.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
The hardy parasite is also highly attuned to threats and responds with formidable defense mechanisms — prolonging a treatment process that’s already months to years long and often fraught with other hurdles and pain.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Advertisement Instead, the immediate goal appears to be grabbing the country’s vast oil reserves, though even there, challenges are formidable.
—Comfort Ero, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
As head of the Presidential Honor Guard, Marcano Tábata presided over what had quietly become the most formidable armed force in the country.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formidable
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Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
The hardy parasite is also highly attuned to threats and responds with formidable defense mechanisms — prolonging a treatment process that’s already months to years long and often fraught with other hurdles and pain.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Advertisement Instead, the immediate goal appears to be grabbing the country’s vast oil reserves, though even there, challenges are formidable.
—Comfort Ero, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
As head of the Presidential Honor Guard, Marcano Tábata presided over what had quietly become the most formidable armed force in the country.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Cite this Entry
“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formidable. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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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