formidable

[ fawr-mi-duh-buhl, fawr-mid-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. causing fear, apprehension, or dread:

   a formidable opponent.

   Synonyms: horrible, frightful, fearful, menacing, threatening, appalling, dreadful

   Antonyms: pleasant

2. of discouraging or awesome strength, size, difficulty, etc.; intimidating:

   a formidable problem.

3. arousing feelings of awe or admiration because of grandeur, strength, etc.
4. of great strength; forceful; powerful:

   formidable opposition to the proposal.

formidable

/ ˈfɔːmɪdəbəl /

adjective

1. arousing or likely to inspire fear or dread
2. extremely difficult to defeat, overcome, manage, etc

   a formidable problem

3. tending to inspire awe or admiration because of great size, strength, excellence, etc

Derived Forms

• ˌformidaˈbility, noun
• ˈformidably, adverb

Other Words From

• for·mi·da·ble·ness for·mi·da·bil·i·ty noun
• for·mi·da·bly adverb
• non·for·mi·da·bil·i·ty noun
• non·for·mi·da·ble adjective
• non·for·mi·da·ble·ness noun
• non·for·mi·da·bly adverb
• qua·si-for·mi·da·ble adjective
• qua·si-for·mi·da·bly adverb
• su·per·for·mi·da·ble adjective
• su·per·for·mi·da·ble·ness noun
• su·per·for·mi·da·bly adverb
• un·for·mi·da·ble adjective
• un·for·mi·da·ble·ness noun
• un·for·mi·da·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of formidable¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from French, from Latin formīdābilis “causing fear,” from formīd(āre) “to fear” + -ābilis -able

Word History and Origins

Origin of formidable¹

C15: from Latin formīdābilis , from formīdāre to dread, from formīdō fear

Example Sentences

“This time it’s a formidable crash, a really deep one.”

From BBC

Marino, struggling to land her formidable first serve, came under pressure straight away as a confident Raducanu dominated with her returning game.

From BBC

The American president is, after all, the commander in chief of the world’s most formidable fighting machine, and the figure ultimately responsible for the nation’s safety and security.

From Los Angeles Times

Over the past five years, the golden generation of South Africa forwards have developed arguably the most formidable and feared scrum in rugby.

From BBC

Israel has long complained that the resolution failed to prevent Hezbollah from building a formidable military presence in south and firing rockets over the border.

From BBC

Related Words

• awesome
• dangerous
• daunting
• dire
• dreadful
• fierce
• imposing
• intimidating
• menacing
• terrific