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
Put another way, even though China will remain a persistent and formidable challenger to the United States, and even though much of Southeast Asia seems to be gravitating toward China, Beijing still has a lot of work to do to allay concerns and win the trust of regional states.
—
Yuen Foong Khong, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Karolína’s talent has caught the attention of the formidable and much-admired choirmaster whose attention is wanted by all the young singers.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 June 2025
Under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran has emerged as a formidable power in the Middle East and a vital counterweight to US dominance — just as China is working to expand its own diplomatic and economic footprint in the region.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
Described as one of the most formidable British TV news editors of his generation, Frediani has risen from being a local radio reporter in his native city of Preston to the BBC’s most powerful news executive outside of London.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Yuen Foong Khong, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Karolína’s talent has caught the attention of the formidable and much-admired choirmaster whose attention is wanted by all the young singers.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 June 2025
Under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran has emerged as a formidable power in the Middle East and a vital counterweight to US dominance — just as China is working to expand its own diplomatic and economic footprint in the region.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
Described as one of the most formidable British TV news editors of his generation, Frediani has risen from being a local radio reporter in his native city of Preston to the BBC’s most powerful news executive outside of London.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formidable
Adjective
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When the body of a young man is found eerily staged in the idyllic Scottish wilderness, detective Monica Kennedy fears this is just the beginning of a terrifying campaign that will strike the heart of a rural community.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
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The terrifying moment that passengers were made to put on oxygen masks was captured on video.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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As civil war looms, their lives intertwine through unlikely alliances and emotional entanglements, until war and betrayal force difficult choices.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
23 June 2025
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That would put the Federal Reserve in a difficult position.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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The fumes are certainly easier to ignore or deny than the visceral, immediate violence of serial murder—which is much rarer, and yet, for many, much more frightening.—
Sarah Weinman,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2025
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Which isn’t to say that the film isn’t frightening.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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All of these factors combine to make AI adoption incredibly challenging, expensive and time-consuming.—
Dave Friend,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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As such, piloting an FPV drone is a completely different, entirely more challenging kettle of fish than piloting a standard camera drone.—
Sam Kieldsen,
Wired News,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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The blend of physical locations with sets and digital imagery is seamless and the CG work on the creatures is first-rate, notably so in the scary climactic stretch when the lumbering D. Rex joins the fray.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
30 June 2025
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This was in the days when only lunatics or scary white punks had shaved heads.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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Even these young players already have major tournament experience — a huge strength given their tough group.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Nor is anything that tough necessary to prevent chronic illness.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Rarely great, and consistently cringey in that NHL way we’re used to by now, but rarely terrible.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Even the ones that aren’t strictly evil in the biblical sense are often prone to doing terrible things.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Experimental adoption is fine, as long as it's paired with rigorous due diligence and clearly defined outcomes.—
Stephanie Domas,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Hunting was off limits, as was trapping or poisoning, and the listing included rigorous habitat protections.—
Christine Peterson,
Vox,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formidable. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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