formidable

Examples

• All

• When Scarlett takes the bit between her teeth, she's a formidable force to reckon with.

  Fiction book (1991)

• The element of surprise is a formidable advantage in combat.

  Air Force One (1997)

• China is well on its way to becoming a formidable global power.

  Academic text (2008)

• How has the president managed to build such a formidable power base?

  Academic text (2011)

• The series created a sensation, and his formidable talent was instantly recognized.

  Academic text (1999)

• Yet a rift had grown between these two formidable forces.

• In 1993, the movement captured 16 seats and continued to act as a formidable parliamentary actor.

  Academic text (1999)

• Most content area instruction in reading is textbook-centered, which presents a formidable task for students who struggle in reading.

  Academic text (2015)

• As a pack, coyotes can protect their food from such formidable adversaries as mountain lions.

  Academic text (1991)

• The team faced a formidable opponent in the championship game, which made victory even more satisfying.

Synonyms

S

strong

vsformidable

∞ 1.0

Having great power or influence over people

adds the idea of inspiring fear or respect beyond mere influence or authority

P

powerful

vsformidable

∞ 1.7

Having great physical strength, like a strong machine or person

often inspires fear or respect beyond mere physical strength or force

M

massive

vsformidable

940 2.9

Very large and impressive in scale

focuses on inspiring fear or respect rather than only great size or scale

T

tremendous

vsformidable

794 3.0

Very large or impressive

stresses inspiring fear or respect instead of merely great amount or size

I

impressive

vsformidable

584 3.4

Causing people to admire it, like a building or performance, because it is very good

tends to inspire fear as well as respect not only admiration for skill

M

mighty

vsformidable

486 2.9

Very strong and powerful

focuses on raw strength rather than inspiring both fear and respect

F

fierce

vsformidable

220 3.0

Showing great power, anger or passion

implies respect and fear from size or ability rather than mere intense aggression

F

ferocious

vsformidable

64 5.5

Very strong and violent in a way that hurts or scares

focuses on violent aggression rather than inspiring respect through size or skill

C

colossal

vsformidable

55 4.7

So large in size or amount that it causes great surprise

emphasizes awe from sheer size rather than fear mixed with respect

O

overpowering

vsformidable

18 4.6

Very strong and hard to resist, making you feel overwhelmed

is about inspiring fear or respect rather than simply being impossible to resist

I

imposing

vsformidable

13 5.6

Having a large, impressive appearance that makes people notice and respect it

relies on appearances to gain respect rather than actual power or size

R

redoubtable

vsformidable

• Formal

3 9.0

Someone who makes others feel fear and respect because they are very powerful

is the more familiar or common form while keeping the same meaning

T

towering

vsformidable

4.0

Very tall and impressive, rising high above other things

relies on vertical height or rank rather than general fear or respect

Antonyms

W

weak

524 1.0

Not strong in body or muscles and easily tired

U

unimpressive

9 3.9

Not very good or likely to attract attention

Compounds

F

formidable foe

2 6.8

A strong opponent who is hard to defeat and causes fear or respect

How Formidable

terrifying

209 5.3

fearsome

37 4.8

formidable

133 7.0

intimidating

93 5.3

daunting

78 6.2

impressive

584 3.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology