formidably
formidably — adjective
- formidablypositive
- more formidablycomparative
- most formidablysuperlative
1. Something that is formidable makes you feel afraid or worried because it seems e
Something that is formidable makes you feel afraid or worried because it seems extremely hard to achieve, understand, survive, or overcome.
The team faces a formidable challenge in trying to reach the mountain summit before winter begins.
collocation: formidable challenge
For a first-year student, writing a 10,000-word essay in two weeks is a formidable task that needs careful planning.
collocation: formidable task
The government must overcome formidable obstacles, including a shortage of medical supplies and rising infection rates.
Building a working robot from spare parts in three months is a formidable goal for the after-school robotics club.
用法筆記
Commonly pairs with nouns describing things that must be dealt with: challenge, task, obstacle, problem, barrier.
常見錯誤
2. Having so much power, strength, or influence that other people find it difficult
Having so much power, strength, or influence that other people find it difficult or unwise to challenge, oppose, or compete against it.
The country has built a formidable navy that can protect its coastline from almost any attack.
collocation: formidable navy / army / force
Sirin has a formidable reputation as a lawyer who has never lost a case in fifteen years.
collocation: formidable reputation
The Ito family's publishing house proved to be a formidable opponent, winning every libel case for over thirty years.
The tech startup faces a formidable rival with twice its budget and a much larger team of engineers.
- powerful
more general, lacks the sense of intimidation
- mighty
more poetic or old-fashioned, suggests great physical strength
- redoubtable
very formal, specifically describes a person worthy of respect or fear
用法筆記
Often describes military forces, competitors, organizations, or individuals with strong reputations. Conveys a sense that the subject is not easily beaten or stopped.
3. So impressive, skilful, or excellent in quality that people feel deep admiration
So impressive, skilful, or excellent in quality that people feel deep admiration, wonder, or respect.
The orchestra gave a formidable performance that left the audience completely silent with admiration.
collocation: formidable performance / talent / skill
Ryo's knowledge of ancient Japanese history is truly formidable — he can name every emperor in perfect order.
The cathedral is a formidable structure, with stone towers that rise well over a hundred metres into the sky.
Aylin has a formidable talent for languages and can speak six of them fluently.
- impressive
more common, less intense in emotional weight
- awe-inspiring
more emotional, suggests a stronger reaction than formidable
- magnificent
focuses on beauty or grandeur rather than skill or excellence
- mediocre
ordinary, not impressive
- unremarkable
not worthy of special attention
用法筆記
Focuses on admiration rather than fear. Distinguish from sense 1 (daunting difficulty) and sense 2 (power that discourages opposition). This sense emphasises positive wonder at excellence.
formidably — adverb
1. So as to inspire fear, respect, or admiration because of great power, skill, or
So as to inspire fear, respect, or admiration because of great power, skill, or difficulty.
Nora argued formidably in court, presenting evidence that the other lawyers could not refute.
modifies verb: argued formidably
The food co-operative grew formidably over the past decade, buying two dozen farms and opening forty shops across Taiwan.
Heloísa played the piano formidably, her fingers moving across the keys with stunning speed and control.
The team performed formidably throughout the tournament, winning every single match by at least three goals.
Owen is formidably talented at chess and can beat six opponents at the same time without looking at the boards.
- impressively
focuses on admiration, less on fear or difficulty
- powerfully
emphasises strength or force rather than general impressiveness
- dauntingly
focuses on the difficulty or intimidating aspect
- weakly
without strength or effectiveness
- unimpressively
in a way that does not inspire admiration
用法筆記
Can modify both verbs (e.g., perform, argue, grow) and adjectives (e.g., talented, strong, intelligent). In written or formal contexts it carries more weight than 'very' or 'extremely'.