Meaning & use
formidable
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Inspiring fear, caution, or respect because of great strength, difficulty, size, or skill.
Grammar: Used before nouns and after verbs; comparisons use more or most rather than -er: a formidable task, more formidable than expected.
Patterns
- formidable opponent
- formidable task
- formidable reputation
The final exam was formidable: three essays in two hours.
Their defense was so formidable that opponents avoided the left flank.
adjectivecomparableapproving
Admirably powerful or impressive in ability, memory, energy, or achievement.
Grammar: Positive evaluation still often pairs with a challenge: a formidable scholar, a formidable memory.
Patterns
- formidable intellect
- formidable record
- formidable team
She is a formidable negotiator who prepares for every detail.
The choir gave a formidable performance of the requiem.
Common combinations
- formidable challenge
- Translating the poem was a formidable challenge.
- formidable opponent
- No one underestimated the formidable opponent from the north.
- formidable task
- Organizing the archives became a formidable task.
- formidable memory
- He had a formidable memory for dates and faces.
- prove formidable
- The storm proved formidable even to experienced sailors.
Synonyms and how they differ
- daunting
- Daunting means discouraging because difficult; formidable can also imply real power or threat.
- intimidating
- Intimidating stresses making people afraid or nervous; formidable can be respectful rather than scary.
- impressive
- Impressive is purely positive and weaker; formidable adds size, force, or difficulty.
- redoubtable
- Redoubtable is formal and respectful for someone worthy of fear or admiration, close to positive formidable.
Opposites
Word family
- formidably adverb
- In an impressively powerful or difficult way.
- formidability noun
- The quality of being formidable; rare and formal.
Commonly confused: formidable or formative?
formidable vs formative
Formative means shaping development, as in formative years; formidable means powerful or intimidating.
Practice
The qualifying exam was ___: two days of oral questions before five professors.
Choose one answer.
The long difficult exam inspires dread and respect, so formidable fits. Formative means influential in development, formal means official or stiff, and formulaic means predictable.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “formidable”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.