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

Activities that were once a regular or even mundane part of life — taking kids to school, buying groceries, driving — have become daunting as immigrants who lack legal authorization grapple with how to avoid arrest and deportation. —Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025

Setting up your QuickBooks account correctly, however, can seem daunting. —Mia Taylor, CNBC, 27 June 2025

Picking out the best dice game can be a daunting task, especially with how many games exist in today’s market. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 26 June 2025

One key unsettled issue stalling progress on President Donald Trump’s big bill in Congress is particularly daunting: How to cut billions from health care without harming Americans or the hospitals and others that provide care? —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 June 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