daunting

adjective

daunt·​ing ˈdȯn-tiŋ How to pronounce daunting (audio)
ˈdän-
Synonyms of daunting
: tending to overwhelm or intimidate
a daunting task
dauntingly adverb

Examples of daunting in a Sentence

Few things are more daunting than having to speak in front of a large crowd. Shakespeare's plays can be daunting for a young reader.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Knowing that my picture, whether flattering or not, is going to be posted (or shared with our family) is extremely daunting. R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026 That is a huge, daunting task that won’t happen overnight. Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026 The daunting task didn’t faze Seymour. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026 But even with a clear offseason mandate to upgrade the pitching staff, a larger budget for major-league payroll this year and a 10-game winning streak in April, figuring it out will be a daunting challenge. Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for daunting

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of daunt

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of daunting was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Daunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/daunting. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

daunting

adjective
daunt·​ing ˈdȯnt-iŋ How to pronounce daunting (audio)
: tending to overwhelm or intimidate
a daunting task
dauntingly adverb

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