formidable
adjective
for·mi·da·ble ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl 
fȯr-ˈmi-,
fər-ˈmi- 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
formidability
ˌfȯr-mə-də-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun fȯr-ˌmi-
fər-ˌmi-
formidableness
ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl-nəs
noun fȯr-ˈmi-
fər-ˈmi-
formidably
ˈfȯr-mə-də-blē
adverb fȯr-ˈmi-
fər-ˈmi-
Synonyms
- alarming
- dire
- direful
- dread
- dreadful
- fearful
- fearsome
- forbidding
- frightening
- frightful
- ghastly
- hair-raising
- horrendous
- horrible
- horrifying
- intimidating
- redoubtable
- scary
- shocking
- spine-chilling
- terrible
- terrifying
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Lanier’s defense also is formidable, and Dixon is an explosive playmaker who should continue improving weekly. Zach Mason, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Sep. 2022 These women are formidable, but not invincible, after all. Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Sep. 2022 Top 15 preseason poll, and fellow league foes Concordia Prep, Mount Saint Joseph, Gilman and Archbishop Spalding are also formidable. Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2022 Blazing Saddles – In order to ruin a western town, a corrupt politician appoints a black Sheriff, who promptly becomes his most formidable adversary. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 7 Sep. 2022 On paper, the Panthers’ offense should be formidable with McCaffrey’s runs and D.J. Moore catching passes. New York Times, 7 Sep. 2022 Companies that help businesses battle hackers and comply with privacy regulations now face a potentially more formidable adversary: market turmoil. David Uberti, WSJ, 6 July 2022 And their division isn’t the NFC West, where Arizona also can be formidable. Nick Canepacolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022 The defense was formidable last season, tops in the ACC and among the top 10 in the nation. Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 See More
Zach Mason, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Sep. 2022 These women are formidable, but not invincible, after all. Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Sep. 2022 Top 15 preseason poll, and fellow league foes Concordia Prep, Mount Saint Joseph, Gilman and Archbishop Spalding are also formidable. Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2022 Blazing Saddles – In order to ruin a western town, a corrupt politician appoints a black Sheriff, who promptly becomes his most formidable adversary. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 7 Sep. 2022 On paper, the Panthers’ offense should be formidable with McCaffrey’s runs and D.J. Moore catching passes. New York Times, 7 Sep. 2022 Companies that help businesses battle hackers and comply with privacy regulations now face a potentially more formidable adversary: market turmoil. David Uberti, WSJ, 6 July 2022 And their division isn’t the NFC West, where Arizona also can be formidable. Nick Canepacolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022 The defense was formidable last season, tops in the ACC and among the top 10 in the nation. Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin formidabilis, from formidare to fear, from formido terror, bogey; akin to Greek mormō bogey
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
formidable
adjective
for·mi·da·ble ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl
1
: causing fear or awe
a formidable enemy
2
: offering serious difficulties
a formidable task
3
: large or impressive in size or extent
a formidable waterfall
formidable
adjective
1
as in terrifying
causing fear a formidable, irascible old man who frightened the neighborhood children Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- terrifying
- frightening
- intimidating
- scary
- terrible
- horrible
- fearsome
- redoubtable
- alarming
- dread
- fearful
- horrifying
- shocking
- dreadful
- startling
- frightful
- eerie
- forbidding
- ghastly
- trying
- creepy
- dire
- daunting
- horrendous
- direful
- gruesome
- troubling
- threatening
- eery
- spine-chilling
- hair-raising
- disturbing
- unnerving
- perturbing
- discouraging
- disconcerting
- hideous
- disquieting
- demoralizing
- dismaying
- weird
- monstrous
- nightmarish
- grisly
- distressing
- appalling
- awful
- macabre
- horrid
- atrocious
- bone-chilling
- grewsome
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reassuring
- calming
- soothing
- comforting
- relaxing
- inviting
- tranquilizing
- quieting
- tranquillizing
- consoling
- nonthreatening
- nonintimidating
- lulling
- pacifying
2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort running a marathon is a formidable undertaking Synonyms & Similar Words
- difficult
- challenging
- tough
- rigorous
- complicated
- hard
- heavy
- demanding
- rugged
- herculean
- arduous
- rough
- strenuous
- murderous
- severe
- tall
- laborious
- testing
- intricate
- complex
- killer
- effortful
- sweaty
- grueling
- exhausting
- exacting
- serious
- uphill
- stiff
- painful
- backbreaking
- hellacious
- problematic
- toilsome
- elusive
- gruelling
- grim
- annoying
- stubborn
- brutal
- tricky
- thorny
- troublesome
- bruising
- problematical
- involved
- oppressive
- onerous
- tight
- moiling
- irksome
- pick-and-shovel
- taxing
- recondite
- abstruse
- stressful
- burdensome
- knotty
- hairy
- insoluble
- abstract
- Augean
- opaque
- spiny
- ticklish
- labored
- bothersome
- vexatious
- trying
- stringent
- cruel
- strict
- grievous
- inhuman
- distressing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- easy
- simple
- soft
- effortless
- light
- uncomplicated
- cheap
- achievable
- clear
- facile
- doable
- undemanding
- gentle
- mindless
- manageable
- elementary
- smooth
- friendly
- soothing
- accessible
- relaxed
- comforting
- painless
- user-friendly
- idiotproof