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formidably

formidably

1 7.4
In a way that makes people feel fear or respect
  • adverb
  • /fɔrˈmɪdəblɪ/
translation icon : formidablemente
  • She is silent, formidably cold with hatred.
  • formidably intelligent
  • formidably armed

Examples

  • The lion stood formidably at the entrance to its den, making all who approached feel a sense of fear and respect.

  • How formidably benevolent he seems.

  • It's not a long book, but it's formidably well written and solid as a rock.

    Blog text (27)
  • It is so complex that it is formidably beyond belief.

    Blog text (21)
  • Formidably handsome Bill Mitchell is fit and in his early forties.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Klausner is formidably famous as a major Jewish historian of Hebrew and Christian doctrines.

    Blog text (13)
  • If the domestic opposition would raise the domestic political cost of external balancing to a formidably high level, however, the nation would not continuously sustain such unstable domestic politics.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The formidably mountainous island of Yaron was a distant sea journey from the continent, and the Illesk must have discovered it in the dim past when they were more of a seafaring people than they are presently.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Few read the formidably dense Of Grammatology from cover to cover, but it acquired tremendous cachet; a year later, its cover made an appearance in Godard's Le Gai Savoir.

    Blog text (14)
  • The storm approached formidably, with dark clouds and strong winds that threatened to cause destruction in its path.

Synonyms

strongly
vsformidably
638 1.0

In a very forceful or certain way

focuses more on creating awe or fear via size or intensity
forcefully
vsformidably
49 3.5

In a strong way that uses a lot of power

emphasizes causing fear or respect rather than only strength
powerfully
vsformidably
34 3.6

In a very strong and forceful way

adds an intimidating or awe aspect through large size or presence
frighteningly
vsformidably
12 5.7

In a way that makes you feel scared

adds a sense of respect or awe from size or strength
terrifyingly
vsformidably
5 6.5

In a way that is very frightening or very strong to show how serious something is

can also express respect by being powerful or impressive
scarily
vsformidably
4 4.9

In a way that makes you feel afraid or very worried

includes an impressive or respectful effect due to power
fearsomely
vsformidably
1 7.5

In a way that makes people afraid

adds respect by being large, powerful, or intense
imposingly
vsformidably
1 6.5

In a grand, impressive way that makes people notice

also implies fear because of sheer size, power, or intensity
overpoweringly
vsformidably
1 7.4

In a very strong way that is hard to resist

implies fear or respect because of size or impressive power
heftily
vsformidably
4.9

In a heavy, forceful way

highlights causing respect or fear rather than physical heaviness

Antonyms

In a weak, ordinary way that does not impress people

How Formidable

terrifyingly
5 6.5
fearsomely
1 7.5
formidably
1 7.4
noticeably
30 2.8
mildly
92 2.7

Surface Forms

formidably positive

Morphology

formidably = formidable (transparent) = formidable + ly

The adverb is formed by adding the productive adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'formidable', so its meaning is predictable from the base.

Etymology

Formidably comes from the Latin root formid- meaning 'fear'. It is used for something so large, strong, or intense that it makes people afraid or full of respect, so we call it formidably powerful or impressive.