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
Harbaugh built the Cardinal into a formidable team, going 12-1 and winning the Orange Bowl in the 2010 season.
—
Devon Henderson, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Among the more moving cases that Blair describes are those of people who in life were vulnerable and powerless but in death were considered formidable threats.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
When fed a steady diet of opposing turnovers, the Miami Heat stand as a formidable force.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
Williams took a massive leap in Year 2 and forms a formidable long-term pairing with coach Ben Johnson.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Devon Henderson, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Among the more moving cases that Blair describes are those of people who in life were vulnerable and powerless but in death were considered formidable threats.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
When fed a steady diet of opposing turnovers, the Miami Heat stand as a formidable force.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
Williams took a massive leap in Year 2 and forms a formidable long-term pairing with coach Ben Johnson.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formidable
Adjective
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Humans could suddenly step into a box, perhaps hear gears grind, and then exit the box on a different floor—and even as safety features were innovated, that was terrifying.—
Jason Corso,
Fortune,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Madigan's character, the elderly aunt of several of the students, became a cult favorite, both terrifying and delighting audiences.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Business leaders, of course, have their own interests and shareholders to serve, but Democrats can still protect the public interest while giving CEOs a seat at the table to reach pragmatic answers to difficult questions like these.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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Activist groups say hundreds of people have been killed, though the true toll remains difficult to verify due to the internet blackout and tight state controls on information.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Experts immediately pointed out that Hassett had used a misleading method known as a cubic fit to make the mortality data appear less frightening.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
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When the sun went down, the Santa Anas began to blow, and the fire shifted into the familiar, frightening rhythm of inevitability.—
Jonathan Taplin,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This can feel challenging and heart-wrenching.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
22 Jan. 2026
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Nevertheless, holding serve with a 2-2-0 record on a challenging four-game trip isn’t the end of the world for the Sharks, who entered Tuesday in third place in the Pacific Division.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The only thing scarier to horror fans might just be Amy Madigan losing for Weapons.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2026
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Families will love Hiccup’s Wing Gliders in the Isle of Berk, a not-too-scary coaster that still delivers thrills.—
Josh Roberts,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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After a rocky two years, the luxury industry is expected to carry its third-quarter recovery into Q4, despite some tough comparables.—
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
15 Jan. 2026
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That hope ended on July 3, 2025 when Michael, the charismatic tough guy actor known for his memorable roles in Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs, died of cardiac arrest at 67 years old after a long struggle with alcoholism.—
Liz McNeil,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Often the boarding school is a site for terrible trauma.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
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The family settled in the Chicago area during a terrible snowstorm, a shock to Noorani's parents, who came from the tropical Tanzanian island of Zanzibar.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance products.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
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Denim and cotton can survive in rigorous washing, while silk and wool will need a gentle washing.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formidable. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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