formidable
adjective
for·mi·da·ble
ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl 
fȯr-ˈmi-də-bəl
fȯr-ˈmi-də-bəl
fər-ˈmi-də-bəl
1
: causing fear, dread, or apprehension
a formidable prospect
2
: having qualities that discourage approach or attack
a formidable opponent
3
: tending to inspire awe or wonder : impressive
a formidable accomplishment
Examples of formidable in a Sentence
She was known throughout Manchester as a formidable woman, and being educated had only piled more formidability on top of what she had been born with.
—
Edward P. Jones, The Known World, 2003
The technology was formidable: using two and a half million rivets, 300 steeplejacks working flat out would run it up in the space of two years …
—Alistair Horne, Seven Ages of Paris, 2002
Alta is reached by a hairpin road that climbs steadily upward—a ride of thirty minutes or so, depending on road and weather conditions—through some of the most formidable mountain scenery in the country.
—Cynthia Zarin, New Yorker, 23 Mar. 1992
The mountains were a formidable barrier.
He has mastered a formidable amount of material.
Edward P. Jones, The Known World, 2003
The technology was formidable: using two and a half million rivets, 300 steeplejacks working flat out would run it up in the space of two years …
—Alistair Horne, Seven Ages of Paris, 2002
Alta is reached by a hairpin road that climbs steadily upward—a ride of thirty minutes or so, depending on road and weather conditions—through some of the most formidable mountain scenery in the country.
—Cynthia Zarin, New Yorker, 23 Mar. 1992
The mountains were a formidable barrier.
He has mastered a formidable amount of material.
Recent Examples on the Web
But Martone is one of the very best prospects in this draft and gives the Flyers size, high-end skill (he’s got plus traits as a shooter, handler and playmaker), and a formidable one-two punch at right wing with Matvei Michkov.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 27 June 2025
The actress portrayed formidable sensei Kim Da-Eun on the Netflix series that ended in February after six seasons.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 26 June 2025
Spike and his mother struggle to survive in the formidable landscape of post-apocalypse Britain, and discover that the Rage Virus has evolved.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
In addition to forming a formidable tandem with defensive partner Brent Seabrook, Keith was an offensive X-factor for the Hawks.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
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Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 27 June 2025
The actress portrayed formidable sensei Kim Da-Eun on the Netflix series that ended in February after six seasons.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 26 June 2025
Spike and his mother struggle to survive in the formidable landscape of post-apocalypse Britain, and discover that the Rage Virus has evolved.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
In addition to forming a formidable tandem with defensive partner Brent Seabrook, Keith was an offensive X-factor for the Hawks.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Cite this Entry
“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formidable. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
formidable
adjective
for·mi·da·ble
ˈfȯr-məd-ə-bəl
also
fȯr-ˈmid-
1
: causing fear or dread
a formidable foe
2
: offering serious difficulties
the mountains were a formidable barrier
3
: very impressive
had won a formidable number of medals
formidableness
noun
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