redoubtable — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Especially of a person. Eliciting respect; awe-inspiring, imposing.

   Usage

   • Humorous
   • sometimes
   • in a positive sense

   Antonyms

   unredoubtable

   Examples

   The redoubtable New York Times has been called the “newspaper of record” of the United States.

   VVhere ſuch an other Rodomont, ſo furious, ſo valorous, ſo redoutable?

   More examples (2)

   This new batch was sent to Leicester shed, and the redoubtable enginemen who had made such a reputation for themselves with the ex-G.C.R. Atlantics took to the "B17s" immediately, although, of course, they required quite different driving methods; […].

   Three local yobs have also joined, but they have not reckoned on a redoubtable Conductor and two local revenue protection officers who soon escort them off the train!

2. Especially of a person. Eliciting dread or fear; appalling, formidable.

   Usage

   • in a negative sense

   Antonyms

   unredoubtable

   Examples

   [I]t pleaſed the grekes at that tyme to ſe yͤ body of Hector ſo trayned by Achilles⸝ bycauſe he was wont to be ſo redoubtab[l]e to them⸝ […]

   More examples (2)

   Revers'd that ſpear, redoubtable in war, / Reclined that banner, erſt in fields unfurl'd, / That like a deathful meteor, gleam'd afar, / And brav'd the mighty monarchs of the world.— […]

   Inwardly she quaked, because she dreaded and admired the calm, self-contained character of her daughter Winnie, whose displeasure was made redoubtable by a diversity of dreadful silences.

Noun

1. A person who elicits respect.

   Usage

   • Humorous
   • in-plural
   • often
   • sometimes
   • in a positive sense

2. A person who elicits dread or fear; a formidable person.

   Usage

   • in-plural
   • often
   • in a negative sense

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Had you sought the Lady's court yourself.— / Faced the redoubtables composing it, / Flattered this, threatened that man, bribed the other,— / Pleaded, by writ and word and deed, your cause,— / Conquered a footing inch by painful inch,— / And, after long years' struggle, pounced at last / On her for prize,—the right life had been lived.

Adjective

1. inspiring fear

   Synonyms

   formidableunnerving

   Examples

   the formidable prospect of major surgery

   something unnerving and prisonlike about high grey wall

2. worthy of respect or honor

   Examples

   born of a redoubtable family