— formidableness, formidability , n. — formidably , adv.
/fawr"mi deuh beuhl/ , adj.
1. causing fear, apprehension, or dread: a formidable opponent.
2. of discouraging or awesome strength, size, difficulty, etc.; intimidating: a formidable problem.
3. arousing feelings of awe or admiration because of grandeur, strength, etc.
4. of great strength; forceful; powerful: formidable opposition to the proposal.
[ 1400-50; late ME formidabilis causing fear, equiv. to formid- (s. of formidare to fear) + -abilis -ABLE ]
Syn. 1. dreadful, appalling, threatening, menacing, fearful, frightful, horrible.
Ant. 1. pleasant.