Formidable
adj.capable, resilientwarm
What it means
Inspiring respect through strength, skill, or ability.
Reach for it when praising strength or skill impressive enough to command respect
The formidable advocate arrived with evidence from every district.
Choose between these
6- everyday
daunting
the subject presents a serious challenge
not when Daunting describes the observer's fear, not admirable ability.
- everyday
ability or scale deserves broad praise
not when Impressive is milder and need not imply challenge.
- warm
developed skill and achievement matter
not when Accomplished lacks formidable intensity.
- professional
capacity to cause change is central
not when Power may intimidate without demonstrating skill.
- formal
presence or authority dominates attention
not when Commanding can imply control rather than competence.
- literary
proven strength deserves elevated respect
not when Redoubtable is rare and sounds martial.
Said against
3- weak
- ineffectual
- unimpressive
It naturally appears in
3- formidable opponent
She was a formidable opponent in the final.
- formidable skill
His formidable skill steadied the rescue.
- formidable advocate
A formidable advocate arrived with evidence.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English positive adjective sense: impressively powerful or capable opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.