formidable

adjective

for·​mi·​da·​ble ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl How to pronounce formidable (audio)
fȯr-ˈmi-,
fər-ˈmi- How to pronounce formidable (audio)
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
formidability
ˌfȯr-mə-də-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce formidable (audio)
fȯr-ˌmi-
fər-ˌmi-
noun
formidableness
ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl-nəs How to pronounce formidable (audio)
fȯr-ˈmi-
fər-ˈmi-
noun
formidably
ˈfȯr-mə-də-blē How to pronounce formidable (audio)
fȯr-ˈmi-
fər-ˈmi-
adverb

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 Create a calendar that ensures that your more formidable roles and tasks coincide with less taxing duties or less pressing engagements while also ensuring tasks are realistically within your daily, weekly or monthly capacity. Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024 Nexstar’s presence in New York makes the company a more formidable negotiating partner with national MVPDs such as DirecTV. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024 And this is true despite the fact that the left in countries such as France, India, and Japan is a formidable force, boasting organizations with millions of members and sending delegates to serve in legislative and executive office. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024 Pairing Mike Williams with Garrett Wilson could give the Jets one of the most formidable receiving duos in the NFL. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024 The elections were held a month after Alexey Navalny, Putin’s most formidable opponent, died in an Arctic penal colony. Christian Edwards, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 The three-day vote took place one month after the sudden death of Alexei Navalny, Putin’s most formidable political rival, in an Arctic prison colony. Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, the centrist Catholics—whom Hitler shrewdly recognized as his most formidable potential adversaries—were handicapped in any desire to join with the Democratic Socialists by their fear of the Communists. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 The war has strengthened the Russian leader less by augmenting the Kremlin’s already formidable power than by radically diminishing the scope of civil society. Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'formidable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of formidable was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near formidable

Cite this Entry

“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formidable. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

formidable

adjective
for·​mi·​da·​ble ˈfȯr-məd-ə-bəl How to pronounce formidable (audio)
also
fȯr-ˈmid- How to pronounce formidable (audio)
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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on formidable

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