1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a formidable, irascible old man who frightened the neighborhood children
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
running a marathon is a formidable undertaking
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formidable
Speaking over the phone from her home outside of Los Angeles, the legendary actress is reminiscing about one of the many formidable women that appeared at her family’s western Ireland manor house during her childhood.
—
Erik Morse, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
Two formidable Scottish football men symbolised an end and a beginning.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Palm Desert’s baseball team is 12-4 and showing off a formidable one-two pitching punch in 6-foot-7 junior Jake Brande (4-1, 1.54 ERA) and Zach Gibbs (5-0, 1.47). . .
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Her and Taylor Jones are as formidable of a frontcourt duo as any in the nation.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Erik Morse, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
Two formidable Scottish football men symbolised an end and a beginning.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Palm Desert’s baseball team is 12-4 and showing off a formidable one-two pitching punch in 6-foot-7 junior Jake Brande (4-1, 1.54 ERA) and Zach Gibbs (5-0, 1.47). . .
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Her and Taylor Jones are as formidable of a frontcourt duo as any in the nation.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formidable
Adjective
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The teaser trailer showcases the epic highs and lows of professional football, with a focus on the lows, as all of this looks terrifying.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
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But despite the terrifying name, giant viruses aren’t necessarily any more dangerous than a standard-sized species.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Whitecaps won games in Mexico, which is difficult to do.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
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The transition can be extremely difficult for some.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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After the frightening threat, the man suddenly ran off in an unknown direction.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2025
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Serena Joy Waterford is among the most frightening, dead-hearted women ever written for the small screen.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Despite a challenging period for many luxury labels, in October, reports indicated LOEWE’s sales had increased 27.5% YoY. In March, long-time Creative Director Jonathan Anderson left the label, and Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez were appointed.—
Seth Matlins,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Deriving the mesoscopic from the microscopic, on the other hand, has been much more mathematically challenging.—
Jack Murtagh,
Scientific American,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The frontman proved expressive and animated despite serious hearing issues that sidelined him for a few scary years, and a voice that, understandably, doesn’t always have the sustain and power of earlier days.—
Katherine Turman,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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Stocks have outperformed cash, bonds, and inflation by a wide margin over the long term despite many setbacks, many much scarier than tariffs or recession.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Over the next two years, Muhammad rang up five more victories against progressively tougher competition.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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On the other side, the Grizzlies had an even tougher time with Curry, who finished with 52 points on 16-of-31 shooting.—
Anthony Slater,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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What is disconcerting is when campaign donors and friends & family have commuted sentences after they have been legally convicted of terrible financial crimes.—
Sanjeev Menon,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Skinner had a terrible time of it for much of the season.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance products.—
Keagan Ostop,
CNBC,
18 Apr. 2025
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Although seeking refugee protection might come to mind, qualifying for refugee protection involves a complex, rigorous process that involves meeting a multi-pronged legal test.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formidable. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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