redoubtable

[ ri-dou-tuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. that is to be feared; formidable.
2. commanding or evoking respect, reverence, or the like.

redoubtable

/ rɪˈdaʊtəbəl /

adjective

1. to be feared; formidable
2. worthy of respect

Derived Forms

• reˈdoubtableness, noun
• reˈdoubtably, adverb

Other Words From

• re·doubta·ble·ness noun
• re·doubta·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of redoubtable¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English redoutable, from Middle French, equivalent to redout(er) “to fear” ( re- re- + douter “to fear, doubt” ) + -able “be capable of”; doubt, -able

Word History and Origins

Origin of redoubtable¹

C14: from Old French, from redouter to dread, from re- + douter to be afraid, doubt

Example Sentences

Even the intelligence operations of the redoubtable New York City Police Department are under fire.

From The Daily Beast

In the 1990s, progressive politicians led by the redoubtable Al Gore, viewed the “digital divide” as a dire national crisis.

From The Daily Beast

And what about his replacement, the redoubtable Rosa Otunbayeva, a former foreign minister and ambassador to the U.S.?

From The Daily Beast

Laurence de Cinq-Cygne struggled valiantly against a cunning and redoubtable police-agency, the soul of which was Corentin.

From Project Gutenberg

Each sect has endeavored to make its God a monarch the most redoubtable, the greatest, the most despotic, and the most selfish.

From Project Gutenberg

The clergy, arrived at this elevation of power and grandeur, became redoubtable even to monarchs.

From Project Gutenberg

Not one of them, however, was able to throw a spear upwards, so I scored over even the most redoubtable chiefs.

From Project Gutenberg

His wife soon joined him, taking with her the redoubtable rag-baby, which had afforded us so much food for gossip and conjecture.

From Project Gutenberg