formidably
UK[ˈfɔːmɪdəbli]US[fərˈmɪdəbli]
adv
in a manner that inspires fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable
Morpheme Breakdown
formid
able
ly
formid
fear
able
capable of
ly
adverb suffix
Etymology
the adverb "formidably" is built upon the adjective "formidable," which entered english in the late 15th century from middle french. its core, the latin noun formidō (dread, terror), evokes a sense of awe-inspiring fear. the suffix -ābilis was added to create the latin adjective formidābilis, meaning "causing fear, dreadful." over time, the meaning softened from pure terror to encompass anything so impressive in size, strength, or difficulty that it commands respect and apprehension. the english adverbial suffix -ly then attaches to this adjective, creating a word that describes an action performed in such a commanding and awe-inspiring manner.
Analysis
Structure: formid (fear) + able (capable of) + ly (adverb suffix)
formid (from latin formidō, meaning "fear, dread, terror"); able (from latin suffix -ābilis, via old french, meaning "capable of, tending to"); ly (from old english -līce, forming adverbs from adjectives)
Examples
the defending champion played formidably throughout the tournament.
the team faces a formidably difficult challenge in the next phase of the project.
she is formidably intelligent and well-informed on the subject.