frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

composition: We met to discuss the formation of a new company.
3 array, display, pattern, arrangement, structure, grouping,
organization, configuration, disposition: The vast military
formation covered the entire valley.
former adj. 1 previous, earlier, prior, ex-, one-time, preceding,
erstwhile, late, latest, last, recent, ci-devant, quondam,
Archaic whilom: I ran into a former girl-friend at the art
show. 2 old, past, bygone; ancient, (pre)historic, departed,
antediluvian: In former times, one could demand - and get -
decent service.
formerly adv. once, before, previously, hitherto, long ago, at one time,
in the old days, once upon a time, in days gone by, in days or
time past, time was, back then, when the world was young(er),
Colloq way back or US also way back when: Formerly, there were
no tall buildings to block one's view.
formidable
adj. 1 alarming, appalling, dreadful, frightful, awesome,
awe-inspiring, menacing, horrifying, frightening, intimidating,
daunting, petrifying, terrifying: A formidable, fire-breathing
dragon blocked our exit. 2 terrific, fantastic, unbelievable,
incredible, impressive, prodigious, mind-boggling, awesome,
Colloq mind-blowing, freaky: They are a formidable talent and
will sell a million records this year. 3 arduous, indomitable,
overwhelming, staggering, powerful, mighty, difficult,
challenging, burdensome, onerous: She has formidable obstacles
to overcome before becoming a doctor.
formula n. recipe, rubric, formulary; rule(s), prescription,
directions, instructions, blueprint, method, technique, means,
way, pattern, procedure, modus operandi, Colloq US MO: Ali Baba
uttered the formula, 'Open sesame!', and the rock opened.
Alchemists sought to discover a formula for making gold from
lead.
formulate v. 1 systematize, codify, define, specify, articulate,
particularize, denote: You must try to formulate your ideas
more clearly. 2 devise, originate, create, think up or of,
dream up, conceive, concoct, invent, improvise, Colloq cook up:
I have formulated a plan in my mind to deal with the problem. 3
develop, forge, evolve, work out, design, map out, block out,