adj

formidable

faw-MIH-duh-buhl

adj

Impressively strong, capable, or intimidating.

"She built a formidable reputation as a courtroom lawyer."

"The team faced a formidable opponent in the final."

Difficult to deal with or overcome.

"Climbing the mountain in winter is a formidable challenge."

How to Use Formidable

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSo powerful, skilled, or difficult that it commands respect or even a little fear.

Common pairings

formidable opponent formidable reputation formidable challenge

more formidable comparative, most formidable superlative

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She built a _____ reputation as a courtroom lawyer.

From Latin formidabilis, "causing fear," from formido, "dread."

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