formidable

[fawr-mi-duh-buhl, fawr-mid-uh-buhl] / ˈfɔr mɪ də bəl, ˌfɔrˈmɪd ə bəl /

ADJECTIVE

horrible, terrifying

Synonyms

STRONGEST

awesome dangerous daunting dire dreadful fierce imposing intimidating menacing terrific

WEAK

appalling awful dismaying fearful frightful horrific redoubtable shocking terrible threatening

Antonyms

STRONGEST

trivial unimportant unthreatening

WEAK

friendly harmless nice pleasant

ADJECTIVE

difficult, overwhelming

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arduous challenging intimidating onerous powerful tough tremendous

WEAK

all-powerful ballbuster colossal effortful hard labored laborious mighty overpowering puissant rough staggering strenuous toilsome tough proposition uphill

Antonyms

STRONGEST

easy facile ineffective insignificant little small unimportant weak

WEAK

feeble friendly harmless not hard trivial

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While Mr. Page’s Titus naturally dominates the play, he has a formidable foe in Ms. Faridany’s busily scheming Tamora.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

"Our consumer business worked to overcome formidable challenges," rotating chairwoman Meng Wanzhou said in Tuesday's report, noting also that Huawei was "moving toward a future that is full of uncertainty".

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

The FA Cup winner's dribbling strengths and link-up play make him a formidable presence in midfield.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Her performance against Oklahoma State was a reminder that she is still the Bruins’ most formidable player and remains the heart of the program’s push to win a national championship.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

It is a formidable roadblock, this stock phrase, in the path of understanding between expert and layman.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson

formidable

Example Sentences

Related Words