1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a formidable, irascible old man who frightened the neighborhood children
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
running a marathon is a formidable undertaking
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formidable
Israel destroyed roughly 70% of its massive arsenal of around 150,000 missiles in the last war, but the arsenal that remains is still formidable.
—
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
Over the past few years, Gulf Arab states had moved to significantly improve relations with Iran, but experts say the ferocity of Tehran’s attacks against them has given new life to the notion that the Islamic Republic remains their most formidable threat.
—Becky Anderson, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Even as air raid sirens blared at least four times throughout this morning in central Israel, the country’s military insisted that its air defenses remain formidable and that the waves of Iranian missile attacks are growing less effective.
—Rebecca Shabad, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026
When the victim is revealed to be part of a notorious local crime family, led by the formidable Mrs Baxter (Davis), the stakes intensify.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
Over the past few years, Gulf Arab states had moved to significantly improve relations with Iran, but experts say the ferocity of Tehran’s attacks against them has given new life to the notion that the Islamic Republic remains their most formidable threat.
—Becky Anderson, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Even as air raid sirens blared at least four times throughout this morning in central Israel, the country’s military insisted that its air defenses remain formidable and that the waves of Iranian missile attacks are growing less effective.
—Rebecca Shabad, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026
When the victim is revealed to be part of a notorious local crime family, led by the formidable Mrs Baxter (Davis), the stakes intensify.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formidable
Adjective
-
The terrifying cadence of airstrikes shapes daily life in Tehran.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
But beneath the ice, something terrifying has awakened.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Christie acknowledged that the Kings were in a difficult position given their recent schedule injury situation.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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Even putting the tank on the ice was more difficult this year.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The idea of frightening children into basic courtesy scares Miss Manners.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Facing the future may mean confronting difficult questions and frightening scenarios.—
Kat McGowan,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Palace’s remaining eight games are more challenging than those listed above in terms of the quality of opposition but might, counter-intuitively, offer them a better chance of success as more space opens up to work into during transition.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
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Directed by Lawrence Lamont from a script by Syreeta Singleton — both making their feature debut — the film grossed over $51M worldwide at a challenging time for theatrical comedies and has a sequel in development.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Wallner and second baseman Luke Keaschall had a scary collision in the eighth inning on a pop fly to right by Salvador Perez that Keaschall caught.—
David Brown,
Twin Cities,
30 Mar. 2026
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Especially one that features Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Martin Necas, Nazem Kadri, Brock Nelson, Val Nichushkin and Nicolas Roy, all at the same time, a legitimately scary roster that goes four lines and two goaltenders deep.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The real minutes, tough minutes on the road, stressful.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
-
After those seven players, things get a little tough to project.—
Mike Kaye
March 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But Kardashian celebrated its terrible reviews, and the series was renewed for a second season.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
26 Mar. 2026
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One hundred fifteen years later, a memorial to the workers who died reveals itself as a reminder that workers’ rights were purchased at a terrible cost, and that the lives lost there still ask something of us.—
Christina Ray Stanton,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Cameron is completing the rigorous prerequisites to apply to the competitive cardiovascular technology program at Grossmont College while caring for her daughter.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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Every car insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of car insurance products.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formidable. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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