formidable

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   inspiring fear

   the formidable prospect of major surgery

2. 2
   adj

   extremely impressive in strength or excellence

   a formidable opponent

3. 3
   adj

   Causing fear, dread, awe, or discouragement as a result of size, strength, or some other impressive feature; commanding respect; causing wonder or astonishment.

   The latter part of the fifteenth century prepared a train of future events, that ended by raising France to a formidable power, which has ever since been, from time to time, the principal object of jealousy to the other European nations.

4. 4
   adj

   Difficult to defeat or overcome.

   a formidable opponent

Etymology

From Middle English formidable, from Old French formidable, formible, from Latin formīdābilis (“formidable, terrible”), from formīdō (“fear, dread”).