daunting

adjective

daunt·​ing ˈdȯn-tiŋ 

ˈdän-

: tending to overwhelm or intimidate

a daunting task

dauntingly

ˈdȯn-tiŋ-lē 

ˈdän-

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

As the complexity of SLED can be daunting, it is recommended to start small and learn how SLED contracting works. —Derek Hoyt, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

Jiri’s path forward with a big sprawling, expensive festival deep in the shadows of Cannes, Berlin and Venice was fraught with economic hurdles and a daunting search for purpose and relevance in 1994. —Steven Gaydos, Variety, 9 May 2025

Pope Francis gave us such a timely inspiring daunting model to use our new degrees in important ways as leaders. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2025

And, most daunting of all: Are jeans business casual? —Kelsey Stiegman, Glamour, 7 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

see daunt

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for daunting

• flaunting
• haunting
• shantung
• taunting
• vaunting
• wanting

Kids Definition

daunting

adjective

daunt·​ing ˈdȯnt-iŋ 

: tending to overwhelm or intimidate

a daunting task

dauntingly adverb