formidable — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Causing fear, dread, awe, or discouragement as a result of size, strength, or some other impressive feature; commanding respect; causing wonder or astonishment.

   Synonyms

   redoubtable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   The latter part of the fifteenth century prepared a train of future events, that ended by raising France to a formidable power, which has ever since been, from time to time, the principal object of jealousy to the other European nations.

   […] and I am more afraid of those people than I am of Anytus and his colleagues, although they are formidable enough.

2. Difficult to defeat or overcome.

   Examples

   a formidable opponent

   More examples (2)

   As I look back on that week in China two impressions stand out most vividly. One is the awesome sight of the disciplined but wildly—almost fanatically—enthusiastic audience at the gymnastic exhibition in Peking, confirming my belief that we must cultivate China during the next few decades while it is still learning to develop its national strength and potential. Otherwise we will one day be confronted with the most formidable enemy that has ever existed in the history of the world.

   [Ian] Holloway has unfinished business in the Premier League after relegation last year and he will make a swift return if he can overcome West Ham a week on Saturday. Sam Allardyce, the West Ham manager, will be acutely aware that when the stakes are high, Blackpool are simply formidable.

Adjective

1. extremely impressive in strength or excellence

   Examples

   a formidable opponent

   the challenge was formidable

   More examples (2)

   had a formidable array of compositions to his credit

   the formidable army of brains at the Prime Minister's disposal

2. inspiring fear

   Synonyms

   redoubtableunnerving

   Examples

   the formidable prospect of major surgery

   something unnerving and prisonlike about high grey wall