If you describe someone as redoubtable, you respect them because they have a very strong character, even though you are slightly afraid of them.
...the redoubtable Mr Brooks.
He is a redoubtable fighter.
Synonyms: formidable, strong, powerful, terrible More Synonyms of redoubtable
redoubtable in British English
(rɪˈdaʊtəbəl)
adjective
1.
to be feared; formidable
2.
worthy of respect
Derived forms
redoubtableness (reˈdoubtableness)
noun
redoubtably (reˈdoubtably)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Old French, from redouter to dread, from re- + douter to be afraid, doubt
redoubtable in American English
(rɪˈdaʊtəbəl)
adjective
1.
formidable; fearsome
a redoubtable foe
2.
commanding respect
a redoubtable logician
Derived forms
redoubtably (reˈdoubtably)
adverb
Word origin
ME redowtable < MFr redoutable < redouter, to fear, dread < L re-, intens. + dubitare, to doubt
Examples of 'redoubtable' in a sentence
redoubtable
She was a redoubtable woman.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Our protest against racing festivals in wartime has roused some redoubtable opponents, but we are satisfied that it represents a sound and widespread public sentiment.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The goalkeeper is one of the few redoubtable characters in this England squad, but he looked somewhere between furious and distraught.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
(adjective)
Definition
to be feared and respected
He is a redoubtable fighter.
Synonyms
formidable
She looked every bit as formidable as her mother.
strong
The evidence that such investment promotes growth is strong.
powerful
a big, powerful man
terrible
Thousands suffered terrible injuries in the disaster.
awful
Even if the weather's awful there's still lots to do.
mighty
a mighty young athlete
dreadful
They told us the dreadful news.
fearful (informal)
The earthquake was a fearful disaster.
fearsome
a fearsome array of weapons
resolute
valiant
valiant attempts by neighbours and firefighters to rescue them
doughty (old-fashioned)
doughty campaigns for the underprivileged
Additional synonyms
in the sense of awful
Even if the weather's awful there's still lots to do.
Synonyms
bad,
poor,
terrible (informal),
appalling,
foul,
rubbish (slang),
shit (taboo, slang),
dreadful,
unpleasant,
dire,
crap (taboo, slang),
horrendous,
ghastly,
from hell (informal),
atrocious,
deplorable,
abysmal,
frightful,
shite (taboo, slang),
hellacious (US, slang)
in the sense of doughty
Definition
brave and determined
doughty campaigns for the underprivileged
Synonyms
intrepid,
brave,
daring,
bold,
hardy,
heroic,
courageous,
gritty,
fearless,
resolute,
gallant,
valiant,
redoubtable,
dauntless,
valorous,
stouthearted (old-fashioned)
in the sense of dreadful
Definition
extremely disagreeable or shocking
They told us the dreadful news.
Synonyms
terrible,
shocking (informal),
awful,
alarming,
distressing,
appalling,
tragic,
horrible,
formidable,
fearful (informal),
dire,
horrendous,
hideous,
monstrous,
from hell (informal),
grievous,
atrocious,
frightful,
godawful (slang),
hellacious (US, slang)
Nearby words of
redoubtable
rediscover
redistribute
redolent
redoubtable
redound
redound on or upon something
redound to something
Synonyms of 'redoubtable'
redoubtable
Explore 'redoubtable' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of fearful
Definition
very bad
The earthquake was a fearful disaster.
Synonyms
frightful,
shocking (informal),
terrible,
awful,
distressing,
appalling,
horrible,
grim,
dreadful,
horrific,
dire,
horrendous,
ghastly,
hideous,
monstrous,
harrowing,
gruesome,
grievous,
unspeakable,
atrocious,
hair-raising,
hellacious (US, slang)
in the sense of fearsome
Definition
terrible or frightening
a fearsome array of weapons
Synonyms
formidable,
alarming,
frightening,
awful (obsolete),
terrifying,
appalling,
horrifying,
menacing,
dismaying,
awesome,
daunting,
horrendous,
unnerving,
hair-raising,
awe-inspiring,
baleful,
hellacious (US, slang)
in the sense of mighty
Definition
powerful or strong
a mighty young athlete
Synonyms
powerful,
strong,
strapping,
robust,
hardy,
vigorous,
potent,
sturdy,
stout,
forceful,
stalwart,
doughty,
lusty,
indomitable,
manful,
puissant
in the sense of powerful
Definition
having great physical strength
a big, powerful man
Synonyms
strong,
strapping,
mighty,
robust,
vigorous,
potent,
energetic,
sturdy,
stalwart
in the sense of strong
The evidence that such investment promotes growth is strong.
Synonyms
persuasive,
convincing,
compelling,
telling,
great,
clear,
sound,
effective,
urgent,
formidable,
potent,
well-established,
clear-cut,
overpowering,
weighty,
well-founded,
redoubtable,
trenchant,
cogent
in the sense of terrible
Definition
causing fear
Thousands suffered terrible injuries in the disaster.
Synonyms
awful,
shocking (informal),
appalling,
terrifying,
horrible,
dreadful,
horrifying,
dread (literary),
dreaded,
fearful (informal),
horrendous,
monstrous,
harrowing,
gruesome,
horrid (informal),
unspeakable,
frightful,
hellacious (US, slang)
in the sense of valiant
Definition
very brave
valiant attempts by neighbours and firefighters to rescue them