1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a formidable, irascible old man who frightened the neighborhood children
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
running a marathon is a formidable undertaking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formidable
Because of that, Garcia never doubted the outcome in overtime against a formidable opponent in Joliet Catholic’s Jason Hampton during the Class 3A 132-pound state championship match.
—
Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Boozer and Snell gave the Jets a formidable tag team duo in the backfield.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
There also is a formidable variety of other entrees and salads.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Centennial got back 6-5 Sydney Douglas from an injury and is suddenly a formidable opponent.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Boozer and Snell gave the Jets a formidable tag team duo in the backfield.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
There also is a formidable variety of other entrees and salads.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Centennial got back 6-5 Sydney Douglas from an injury and is suddenly a formidable opponent.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formidable
Adjective
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There is something inherently terrifying about a supermassive black hole hurtling through space at an excess of three million kilometers per hour.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Even their vision of outer space seldom imparts the sense of a terrifying, unknowable vastness.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Anyone who has seen the way the space works today can recognize that there are a lot of families who find this very, very difficult right now.—
Anna Moeslein,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Demonstrating that was difficult due to natural fluctuations in temperatures.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And for Slusser, born and raised as a Christian in Texas, just a year and a half living in Northern California had taken a frightening toll.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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Protests that kind of were merging toward violence or at least frightening to our diplomats.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The still-to-close merger, announced on social media Tuesday, will maintain separate brands while sharing brewing facilities and other resources, helping both companies navigate a challenging craft beer industry and explore new opportunities for growth.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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This means 26 wines, which has proven a challenging but really fun experience.—
Laura Ness,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
It’s been scary being a part of these franchises with big followings for such a long time.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Mar. 2026
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But John is, as established, too dense to be truly affected by any scary woman.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In 2008, Klay Thompson of Santa Margarita scored 37 points and made a record seven three-pointers at the notoriously tough Arco Arena in Sacramento to help the Eagles win the Division III title over Sacramento 72-55.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Punch made multiple tough baskets and got to the free-throw line as the Jayhawks struggled with his physicality.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
As compiled by Gnostics, who consider the material world to be a fundamentally terrible place.—
Jay Martel,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The Astros’ young second baseman, Jose Altuve, was making waves, Fisher remembered, yet the club still looked terrible.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Keys said part of the challenge was attracting new high school students because of the academy’s rigorous curriculum.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
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All attendees would have to undergo rigorous COVID testing.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formidable. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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