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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formidable
Rip currents are formidable natural forces, but knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of safely navigating these challenging waters.
—
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
At the time, the field’s most formidable challenges included stigma, access, and the quality of services.
—Alice Park, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Yet the urge to treat this incredible look at how legacies of pain reverberate through generations as just a showcase for the star’s formidable discipline and talent should be pushed aside, because that would be giving the movie itself short shrift.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2025
My grandma Ida Lou Polcari was a formidable woman.
—Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
At the time, the field’s most formidable challenges included stigma, access, and the quality of services.
—Alice Park, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Yet the urge to treat this incredible look at how legacies of pain reverberate through generations as just a showcase for the star’s formidable discipline and talent should be pushed aside, because that would be giving the movie itself short shrift.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2025
My grandma Ida Lou Polcari was a formidable woman.
—Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 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
-
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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While some corn mazes are perfect for all ages and include activities especially for younger kids, others are more grown-up and may prove too scary or challenging for little ones.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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The new generation can’t afford to stay in the game, which is scary.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Lammens was perhaps fortunate to escape sanction then (Stuart Atwell booked the forward for diving), but this was a valuable occasion ahead of tougher tests, beginning at Anfield.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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There will be some tough picking in there, but typically the predicting business gets a little easier in region play.—
Tyler Palmateer,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
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 9 Oct. 2025.
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