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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Jens generally chooses his words carefully, and is, what’s more, particularly reticent just after finishing a long and difficult winter delivery trip; what’s a person supposed to do with words in a blizzard anyway, up on a stormy heath and all directions lost?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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In his first start in the wake of Beau Pribula’s significant injury, Zollers walked into a difficult situation, and his stat line reflected it.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
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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But last month, Critchfield backed off in the face of a challenging state budget.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
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Depending on where in the country your family lives, winter can be a challenging time for kids who are cooped up inside amid the chillier weather.—
Mia Taylor,
Parents,
7 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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This leads to families having to make tough decisions, said Cindy Kincaid, family caregiver program manager at Centralina Regional Council.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
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She's been amazing, a sort of brutal support, tough lover, very educational.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The groundbreaking research penetrated the last moments of the young nobleman, who suffered a terrible 26 blows.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
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History is full of cases where great bands make terrible records, yet history stands speechless at what the Clash accomplished here.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors.—
Harlan Vaughn,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
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The Encinitas Green Business Network provides a rigorous framework for local organizations to reduce their environmental footprint through actionable, practical, and high-impact improvements.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formidable. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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