formidable success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formidable success" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an achievement that is impressive or difficult to attain, emphasizing the strength or magnitude of the success. Example: "The launch of the new product was a formidable success, exceeding all sales expectations in the first quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Ms. Swift continues to croon about boys with a charming despondency that plays at direct odds of the formidable success of "Red" (Big Machine), her Billboard chart-topping fourth studio album.

The New York Times - Arts

There the conditions for London 2012 will give all the Skandia GB sailors the optimum chance of building on their formidable success of the last three Olympic Games where, prior to today, they have won 15 medals, including eight gold.

The Guardian - Sport

That is by any standard a formidable success: something to bear in mind whenever yet another book or essay pronounces as this one will not that the academy is "in crisis".Needless to say, no institution lasts nine centuries without adapting.

The Economist

* [Rating: One Star] Freemans A forlorn alley, a few walls of taxidermy and hot artichoke dip: these are the blocks with which Freemans built its formidable success, underscored by an expansion in early 2006 that increased the number of seats to 105 from about 60.

The New York Times

Lewis added: "The WRU further wishes to state its unequivocal support for Sam Warburton as a role model and exemplary captain who has led Wales to formidable success in the competition".

BBC

I think a very formidable success story is the Hawaiian language.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Mr Thorpe is pointing to his many formidable successes as Liberal leader in the past 10 years.

The Guardian

All3Media chief executive Steve Morrison said Douglas's experience at Radio 2 and Universal Music made her the perfect person to build on Lime Pictures' formidable successes.

The Guardian

That kind of change is unnerving to Visa, despite its formidable successes.

Forbes

But teething problems are formidable and success stories are few, says Patrick Maloney of the Lemelson Foundation, which invests in clean-energy technologies for the poor.

The Economist

In this way, the people of Norte Chico achieved formidable architectural success.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing achievements, use "formidable success" to emphasize the impressive nature and scale of the accomplishment. It is especially effective when the success was achieved against significant odds.

Common error

Avoid using "formidable success" to describe minor achievements or everyday tasks. This phrase is best reserved for truly significant accomplishments that demonstrate considerable effort or impact. Misapplication can dilute its meaning and sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formidable success" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "formidable" modifies the noun "success". It highlights the impressive and substantial nature of the success. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formidable success" is a grammatically correct and effective phrase used to describe achievements of considerable scale and impact. As Ludwig AI explains, its primary function is to emphasize the impressiveness of the success, particularly when achieved against significant challenges. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase carries a formal tone suitable for professional communications. While "formidable success" is a powerful descriptor, alternatives such as "significant achievement" or "major triumph" can be used to vary expression. To maintain impact, reserve "formidable success" for truly noteworthy accomplishments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extraordinary achievement

Substitute "success" with a more general term for accomplishment and use "extraordinary" to show the remarkableness.

significant achievement

Replaces "success" with a more general term for accomplishment and removes the adjective emphasizing the scale.

considerable accomplishment

Uses "accomplishment" as a more formal alternative to "success" and "considerable" to show significant level.

major triumph

Substitutes "success" with "triumph", implying a victory over challenges, and "formidable" with "major" for a different tone.

impressive attainment

Replaces "success" with "attainment", a more formal word for achievement, and use "impressive" to show how remarkable.

notable victory

Replaces "success" with "victory", emphasizing a win, and "formidable" with "notable" to describe it.

remarkable feat

Uses "feat" to suggest an impressive act or accomplishment, and "remarkable" to emphasize how impressive the success is.

outstanding performance

Replaces "success" with "performance", emphasizing the process, and add "outstanding" to show its quality.

substantial breakthrough

Changes "success" to "breakthrough", highlighting a significant advancement, and "formidable" to "substantial", indicating a large impact.

triumphant outcome

Changes "success" to "outcome", focusing on the result, and add "triumphant" to indicate a victory.

FAQs

How can I use "formidable success" in a sentence?

You can use "formidable success" to describe impressive achievements, such as "The company's expansion into the Asian market was a "formidable success", exceeding all expectations".

What are some alternatives to "formidable success"?

Alternatives to "formidable success" include phrases like "significant achievement", "major triumph", or "considerable accomplishment", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "formidable success"?

Use "formidable success" when you want to emphasize the scale and impressiveness of an achievement, particularly when it was achieved against significant challenges or obstacles.

Is "formidable success" formal or informal language?

"Formidable success" is generally considered neutral to formal language, suitable for professional writing, news reports, and academic contexts.