1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a formidable, irascible old man who frightened the neighborhood children
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2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
running a marathon is a formidable undertaking
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Recent Examples of formidable
In Hunt, a section of the county that faced particularly formidable inundation, at least 27 children and counselors from a girls' summer camp called Camp Mystic are among the dead, the camp announced.
—
Emily Mae Czachor
july 10, CBS News, 10 July 2025
This vision was executed over time and China has since become a formidable choke point today with nearly all links in the permanent magnet and rare earth supply chain.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
The Buffaloes must replace Hunter, Sanders and other stars from that team, but with another deep transfer portal class Colorado should be a formidable challenge for TCU once again.
—Steven Johnson
july 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2025
In short, because the Ukrainians have put up a formidable defense.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Emily Mae Czachor
july 10, CBS News, 10 July 2025
This vision was executed over time and China has since become a formidable choke point today with nearly all links in the permanent magnet and rare earth supply chain.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
The Buffaloes must replace Hunter, Sanders and other stars from that team, but with another deep transfer portal class Colorado should be a formidable challenge for TCU once again.
—Steven Johnson
july 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2025
In short, because the Ukrainians have put up a formidable defense.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formidable
Adjective
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In one of the film's most surprising sequences, his character golfs the best game of his life during a terrifying storm, misses a putt, curses God, and gets struck by lightning.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
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As global anxiety builds, Luna must face not just the predator in the desert but the terrifying possibility that humanity’s end is hurtling toward them from the stars.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Some students may face family challenges that affect their ability to get to school, and some changes to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test, such as its move to online instead of paper form, could be difficult for students who only access computers at school, Maldonado said.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Diseases that are difficult to manage without early intervention, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer, place a significant burden on health care budgets and patient quality of life.—
Kim Praitano,
Sun Sentinel,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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One of the most effectively frightening gags in the movie is little more than an actor in ghoulish makeup tunneling under a bedsheet.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
31 July 2025
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And frightening, even to the leaders around Xi Jinping in Beijing.—
Kerry Brown,
Time,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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Besides the challenging business climate in Chicago, President Donald Trump’s tariffs are contributing to rising food costs, and his immigration crackdown threatens to disrupt the food-service workforce.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
21 July 2025
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Points available at the stage’s finish vary based on a coefficient of difficulty: the more challenging the stage, the fewer points available.—
Sophie Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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The scary thing about Jefferson's injury is that he was also kept out of multiple games in 2023 due to a hamstring injury.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
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Dad is the one who's going to pretend to be a predator stalking the child and pretending to be a big, scary monster.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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The tougher policy changes are adding to the minors’ trauma, advocates say.—
Nicol León,
AZCentral.com,
22 July 2025
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In this deep perennial border, Jordin layered tough perennials that deliver a profusion of color in the height of summer, including catmint, 'Millenium' allium, 'Cinderella' milkweed, and clary sage. 2.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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But when terrible news arrives about her ex, all eyes turn to Ana — whose reputation isn't exactly sterling.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
21 July 2025
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There will be four questions related to easing the city’s terrible housing shortage, all useful and needed, and one useless question about moving our local elections from odd years, like this present year, to presidential contest years.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
Ozzy Osbourne shared 3 children with first wife Thelma Riley The father of six children over two marriages, Osbourne has been vocal about how rigorous touring and alcohol use affected his family life.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
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The 22-year-old flew to the United States and went through the DCC’s rigorous tryouts, eventually becoming one of six new rookies to join the 36-member squad, out of thousands who auditioned.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formidable. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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