1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a formidable, irascible old man who frightened the neighborhood children
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2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
running a marathon is a formidable undertaking
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formidable
Texas Tech is a formidable team with an elite offense and defense.
—
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2025
Despite that, Edgar and Cipher are both convinced Marie is one the world’s most powerful supes and a formidable opponent to Homelander.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
What if one of the most famous and formidable Antarctic exploration vessels in history, whose crew's story of shipwreck and survival has been told for more than a century, wasn't as strong as legend had it?
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025
From muscle cars that chase down reckless drivers to rugged trucks that tackle tough terrain, the THP has a formidable lineup.
—Charles Singh, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2025
Despite that, Edgar and Cipher are both convinced Marie is one the world’s most powerful supes and a formidable opponent to Homelander.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
What if one of the most famous and formidable Antarctic exploration vessels in history, whose crew's story of shipwreck and survival has been told for more than a century, wasn't as strong as legend had it?
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025
From muscle cars that chase down reckless drivers to rugged trucks that tackle tough terrain, the THP has a formidable lineup.
—Charles Singh, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formidable
Adjective
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The home of Red October used to be a terrifying place for opponents this time of year.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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With an all-star cast featuring Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, and Rachel Sennott, Bodies is a terrifying and darkly atmospheric ride that could become a new classic.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For once, the bulk of the anger was directed not at Fosun — the investment group and majority shareholder – and the Molineux hierarchy who have conspired to deal Pereira a difficult hand, but at the head coach himself and his players.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Romancelandia’s social world, harnessed by its business-minded authors, may make its success exceedingly difficult to replicate.—
Rebecca Ackermann,
The Atlantic,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What began as a hiking trip with friends on the breathtaking slopes of on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest turned into a frightening ordeal for 30-year-old Feng Holiday, after a rare October blizzard left her and hundreds of hikers stranded in treacherous conditions.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, the movie's kinetic animation and Ichabod's rubbery physicality playfully contrast with the truly frightening Horseman and his flaming pumpkin.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, my nephew, who’s 7, is down for a more challenging build like the Star Wars Paz Vizsla and Moff Gideon Battle set, which is currently $23 off.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
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Taking the creative helm of Chanel as only the fourth artistic director to ever lead the house, Blazy has been entrusted with one of the biggest and most sought-after — although perhaps not the most challenging — jobs in fashion.—
Fiona Sinclair Scott,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Keontez Lewis left Saturday’s game against Kent State early after suffering a scary injury while attempting to make a catch.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
8 Oct. 2025
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Does your child find Halloween super scary?—
Ellen Sturm Niz,
Parents,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The end result of a tough negotiation that included a nearly two-week blackout of Disney channels on Charter in 2023 was a much closer working relationship between the two.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
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Just a week after giving birth, Menish took her six-hour Evidence exam from home in December 2023 — one of the toughest finals in the curriculum.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That's a terrible average to bet your life on.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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When his estranged daughter Sam tracks him down, in a last-ditch effort to dig her way out of serious trouble, Mickey must choose between rekindling his relationship with his daughter in the face of a terrible tragedy or pursuing a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The coins will undergo a rigorous conservation process before being given to local museums for public display, according to the company.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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During a recent appearance on Vulture’s Good One podcast, the standup recalled prepping for the rigorous audition process for a year while doing improv and working day jobs in Chicago.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formidable. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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