formidable Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite extremely impressive in strength or excellence
    • a formidable opponent
    • the challenge was formidable
    • had a formidable array of compositions to his credit
    • the formidable army of brains at the Prime Minister's disposal
  2. adjective satellite inspiring fear
    redoubtable; unnerving.
    • the formidable prospect of major surgery
    • a tougher and more redoubtable adversary than the heel-clicking, jackbooted fanatic"- G.H.Johnston
    • something unnerving and prisonlike about high grey wall

WordNet

For"mi*da*ble adjective
Etymology
L. formidabilis, fr. formidare to fear, dread: cf. F. formidable.
Definitions
  1. Exciting fear or apprehension; impressing dread; adapted to excite fear and deter from approach, encounter, or undertaking; alarming.
    They seemed to fear the formodable sight. Dryden.
    I swell my preface into a volume, and make it formidable, when you see so many pages behind. Drydn.
    Syn. -- Dreadful; fearful; terrible; frightful; shocking; horrible; terrific; tremendous.

Webster 1913