Formidable Definition – Meaning and Usage in a Sentence

We can all agree that “formidable” is not one of those frequent words many people mention or write every day. But the moment you get to know the definition of formidable and usage in a sentence, it becomes your favorite word. Let’s look at the word “formidable” to help you expand your grammar knowledge.

“Formidable” means “very powerful or strong” or “deserving serious attention and respect.” The “formidable” people inspire fear due to their size, ability, or qualities. In sentences and spoken conversations, use the word to capture people’s attention or express fear and some form of dominance. This varies across various contexts.

When it comes to formidable, the definition is pretty clear. But what about when you want to use this word in a sentence? It’s not always easy to know how to use this powerful adjective properly. In this post, we’ll look at the meanings of formidable and explore some ways you can use it in your writing. Stay tuned for more!

What is the Definition of Formidable?

You can define “formidable” as “very hard to deal with” or “something that causes fear and can be difficult to overcome.” Use this word when you come across a change or situation that seems complicated for you to navigate through.

Example sentences:

• Though we managed to drive through the snow, it was a formidable task.
• When the new workers arrived, they asked about the various formidable roles in the office and whether they will be required to do it.
• Calculating the speed of light through situations is a formidable task.

What Are Formidable Word Forms?

Formidable word forms are those words that share meaning and originality with “formidable.” They, however, suit different contexts, making it difficult for some people to use the words in a sentence. Here are a few word forms to note.

1. Formidableness: (noun) “Formidableness” means “arousing dread, alarm or fear.”

Example sentences:

• In the courtroom, she conveyed the formidableness she felt each time her husband arrived home from work.
• Everyone felt sheer formidableness towards the thieves during the robbery since they were massive and heavily armed.

1. Formidability: (noun) “Formidability” means “impressively difficult.”

Example sentences:

• When the senate discusses a bill, they must ensure its formidability before passing it into law.
• A more useful measure of formidability has been implemented to help ensure that students don’t cheat in the exams.
• The formability of the clothes worn by the doctors treating patients with Covid-19 protects them from getting the disease.

What Is The Meaning Of Formidable?

“Formidable” also means “large and impressive or amount.” You can use this word in cases where something is big or too large to inspire woe or wonder.

Example sentences:

• Jane knows that the only way to get to the top is passing the exams, and in two days, she has crammed a formidable amount of material.
• Even though he is tiny, Mr. White eats a formidable amount of food each day.
• It was impressive how Ivan carried many tools he needed for the project.

Synonyms of the Word Formidable

Formidable has many synonyms. Once you learn them, you can alternate the word as you converse with your friends. The more you practice, the more you become a pro. Here are “formidable” synonyms and their meaning.

• Awesome: Causing or inducing awe or inspiring an overwhelming feeling of reverence.
• Dangerous: Full of danger or causing danger.
• Intimidating: Intend to frighten someone or stop someone’s action through fear.
• Daunting: Causing fear or discouragement.
• Dreadful: Causing great terror or fear.
• Fierce: Violence in force.
• Terrific: Extraordinary, tremendous, or intense.
• Imposing: Very impressive because of its great size.
• Dire: Causing or imposing great fear or suffering.
• Menacing: Serving as a menace or threat.

How Do You Use Formidable In A Sentence?

When writing the word “formidable” in a sentence, use it as an adjective. It is a word used to name the attribute of a noun. Also, note that this is a negative word and applies most in pessimistic settings.

• She saw her competitor as a formidable enemy.
• John said that the only way he will get in the boxing ring is if the company sponsoring the fight finds a formidable opponent.
• The king asked all the royal smiths to take the time to make the swords and ensure that they made a formidable weapon.
• The CEO can fire anyone on the spot, making her workers feel formidable each time she walks around the office.

Did you know that one word can be used in different contexts and have different meanings? The same happens with the word “formidable.” Learn below how to use the word” formidable” in various contexts.

For instance, “formidable” in religion means “deserving serious attention and respect.” When it comes to math,” formidable” applies in WordPress Maths Form, and it means” a form builder that can handle simple arithmetic.”

Is Formidable A Positive or Negative Word?

Most English words can either be negative or positive. Positive words are encouraging and ensure that you agree, while negative words show that you reject or disagree. A common question for people who come across the word “formidable” is whether this is a positive or negative word.

The word “formidable” has a negative aspect and is mainly used when there is some level of conflict or competition. When using this word in your conversations and speech, you need to put this in mind. If you use a negative word in a positive phrase, people might not fully understand what you are saying, which increases the chances of miscommunication.

A major tip on how to improve your vocabulary is by reading as much as you can. It does not matter if you are reading novels or magazines; the more you read, the more you will learn about words and how to use them in your writing or conversations.

For example, if you encounter a vocabulary like “formidable,” use the dictionary to learn its meaning and look at some sentences to know if it has a positive or negative influence. This is what you need to have your vocabulary sky-rocket.

10 Examples of Formidable In a Sentence

To make sure you use the right word form in your writing, read the sentences below. You will have a better understanding of the word “formidable.” Let’s get into the ten examples.

1. Everyone in the office feared Jack since he had a formidable temper.
2. Josh was excellent in first fights, and most people considered him a formidable opponent.
3. The villagers had a lot of respect for their formidable chief, retiring.
4. Students complained about their assignment, claiming that the task was formidable.
5. The brothers are close since they had to overcome formidable obstacles growing up.
6. Mary is a formidable foe. She is resilient, forceful, and knowledgeable.
7. Have you ever seen the word formidable in a sentence?
8. The company’s management and its employees are both formidable.
9. The task was formidable, but the men kept pushing to complete the task.
10. Susan will and shall always remain a formidable opponent.

How Do You Spell Formidable?

The word “formidable” is spelled as “f-o-r-m-i-d-i-a-b-l-e.”

A common mistake people make when spelling the word “formidable” is forgetting to add the “r” between “o” and “m.” You need to be careful with the spelling of the word so that people can better understand what you are saying or the information you are planning on communicating

How Do You Pronounce Formidable?

“Formidable” best pronunciation is “faw.m.duh.bl.”

Initially, the word “formidable” was pronounced with the stress on the first syllables. However, as the English language advances, so does the word’s pronunciation.

How Many Syllables Are In Formidable?

The word formidable has four syllables. These syllables are for-mi-da-ble. The stressed syllable when pronouncing the word is “for.”

History and Etymology of Formidable

The origin of the word “formidable” is Latin. In the Latin Language, the word means “fear.a” In the 15th century, the Old French Language took the word and changed it to “formidable,” and retained the same meaning from Latin. 

Later the English language borrowed the word from the English language and changed it to “Formidable.” It is essential to learn the History and Etymology of a word to understand better how to use it and its origin. So take the time to learn the origin of the words you find. That will also help you memorize the word more.

Conclusion

The word “formidable” is not often used, but it is an excellent vocabulary that can help you express yourself better. You can use it to mean “very powerful and strong.” You also need to be keen on how you use the word considering it is negative. The best way to understand a word is by practicing it often with a speech and conversations.

Have you understood the word “formidable” and how to use it in sentences? We would like to thank you for your dedication to learning. Share a few sentences with your fellow English enthusiasts and hear what they have to say about your prowess.