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 : very difficult to deal with
a formidable challenge
The mountains were a formidable barrier.
2
: having qualities that discourage approach or attack : very powerful or strong
a formidable enemy/opponent/weapon
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
The forces aligned against Kennedy, everyone at the conference seemed to agree, are formidable.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 15 Nov. 2025
Matty and Olympia are facing a formidable opponent in Senior, who in this episode starts working behind their back, recruiting Sarah to spy on Julian.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
An expert photographer will also be part of the expedition team, on hand to share tips and techniques for capturing images of the total eclipse in one of the most formidable, yet remarkable environments on Earth.
—Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2025
The discovery reveals a formidable hunter that lived during the Triassic Period.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
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Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 15 Nov. 2025
Matty and Olympia are facing a formidable opponent in Senior, who in this episode starts working behind their back, recruiting Sarah to spy on Julian.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
An expert photographer will also be part of the expedition team, on hand to share tips and techniques for capturing images of the total eclipse in one of the most formidable, yet remarkable environments on Earth.
—Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2025
The discovery reveals a formidable hunter that lived during the Triassic Period.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Nov. 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 18 Nov. 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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