Words / B2

f-uh-MID-uh-bl/fəˈmɪdəbl/

Formidable means impressive and hard to deal with because of size, skill, or power: a formidable opponent; formidable obstacles. Scary is informal; impressive is weaker and more positive. The incumbent is formidable. Do not use it as a compliment for a pretty poster.

Meaning

Inspiring fear or respect through being large, powerful, or skilful.

Examples

• “The incumbent is a formidable opponent on education questions.”
• “A formidable reading list met the new cohort, which is still about difficulty.”

Good to know

a formidable opponent / challenge / reputation. Weaker: impressive. Informal: scary. Respect plus difficulty. Politics, sport, and academia.

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