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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formidable
The mute swan is a formidable rival to California’s most common native swan, the much smaller tundra swan, which is also differentiated by its straight neck and black beak.
—
Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
Comcast, parent of MSNBC, would face formidable antitrust hurdles in Washington.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Despite their ungainly silhouettes and handling quirks, they were considered formidable gun platforms.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
Though the league’s old guard, led by Curry and James, remains formidable, the road to the championship trophy now runs through the uber-young Thunder, who spent the offseason signing their young core of stars to long-term deals.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
Comcast, parent of MSNBC, would face formidable antitrust hurdles in Washington.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Despite their ungainly silhouettes and handling quirks, they were considered formidable gun platforms.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
Though the league’s old guard, led by Curry and James, remains formidable, the road to the championship trophy now runs through the uber-young Thunder, who spent the offseason signing their young core of stars to long-term deals.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formidable
Adjective
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But a computer sensor wasn’t needed to confirm his terrifying speed.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
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Desperate to prove his mettle, Dek seeks out a terrifying creature of Yautja lore, determined to be the first of his kind to slay it.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Cue, Helm’s first rejection, abandonment, difficult emotions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
This character was actually quite difficult for me.—
Gavin J Blair,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But the trailer also offers a glimpse a frightening car crash that derails their career and life plans.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
-
There were no spooky increases at the pumps or frightening fuel costs this Halloween.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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With launch costs extremely high, sending a large platform to orbit is challenging.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
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Their league schedule in the Southland Conference includes a challenging February road stretch through Texas, and non-conference begins with a high-profile matchup against the Kentucky Wildcats.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Fascinating albeit kinda scary to watch though.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Kim also recalled her mother allegedly threatening her father’s life, and on one scary occasion, Betty drove her car into the new home Dan shared with their children.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Whether or not Takaichi's administration is as tough on immigration issues as her campaign rhetoric suggests, some observers warn that failing to actively invest in and integrate foreign nationals into society will have lasting harm on Asia’s second-largest economy.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Without a consolidation of that vote in the final stretch, Mamdani appears tough to beat.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There have always been fascist forces, there have always been people who are just terrible in the American government, but at the same time, there are always people who have resisted, and there are always people who have still found ways to create joy, to create life, to create art, despite these.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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Marchand’s terrible week ended with joy.—
Adam H. Beasley,
Miami Herald,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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All in all, even a moderate approach was like 12-hours of rigorous cardio.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
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His label pioneered the industry’s intensive training system, recruiting performers as young as elementary school age and putting them through years of rigorous preparation.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formidable. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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