redoubtable

adjective

re·​doubt·​able ri-ˈdau̇-tə-bəl 

1

: causing fear or alarm : formidable

2

: illustrious, eminent

broadly : worthy of respect

redoubtably

ri-ˈdau̇-tə-blē 

adverb

Did you know?

The word redoubtable is worthy of respect itself, if only for its longevity. It has been used in English for things that cause fear, dread, and apprehension since at least the 15th century and comes to us through Middle English from the Anglo-French verb reduter, meaning "to dread." That word comes ultimately from Latin dubitare, "to be in doubt" (by way of Anglo-French duter, douter, meaning "to doubt," also the source of English doubt). Things or people that are formidable and alarming can also inspire awe and even admiration, and it wasn't long before the meaning of redoubtable was extended from "formidable" to "illustrious" and "worthy of respect."

Synonyms of redoubtable

• formidable
• terrifying
• frightening
• scary

Examples of redoubtable in a Sentence

There is a new biography of the redoubtable Winston Churchill.

his next opponent, the reigning champion, would be by far the most redoubtable adversary the young boxer had ever faced

Recent Examples on the Web

No discussion about Downton Abbey would be complete without a nod to the late actress Maggie Smith, who played the redoubtable Dowager Countess of Grantham. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 June 2026

The team has a record 31 wins at the short track, which typifies the performance and resilience of NASCAR’s winningest outfit and its redoubtable founder. — ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026

But Clement’s most precious souvenirs are those left by his father Dave, a redoubtable full-back in the Queens Park Rangers team pipped to the league championship by Liverpool in 1976. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2026

But then their pity slowly metastasized into a creeping worry as the redoubtable reptile stood his ground. — Literary Hub, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English redoutable, from Anglo-French, from reduter to dread, from re- + duter to doubt

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

redoubtable

adjective

re·​doubt·​able ri-ˈdau̇t-ə-bəl 

: causing fear or dread : formidable

a redoubtable warrior

redoubtably

-blē 

adverb