daunting

adjective

daunt·​ing ˈdȯn-tiŋ 

ˈdän-

: tending to overwhelm or intimidate

a daunting task

dauntingly

ˈdȯn-tiŋ-lē 

ˈdän-

adverb

Example Sentences

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 a piece of history, the Watergate scandal is a daunting narrative smorgasbord. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Apr. 2023

Buying a new sofa for your living room can be a daunting (and expensive) task. —Samantha Jones, goodhousekeeping.com, 28 Apr. 2023

Now Young, who just finished his fifth season, is facing an existential challenge more daunting than any one playoff round: the Narrative. —Sopan Deb, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2023

Oh, his four home runs and his 1.013 OPS are daunting, but neither are near the top of the majors. —Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2023

And so whatever came next felt daunting and dramatic. —The Foretold Team, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2023

Change of scene Talking to a colleague about a difficult issue can feel daunting, especially when the discussion is held in the same location where the conflict arose. —Anna Shields, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2023

The Linda Lindas capture the daunting unknowns of the coming-of-age experience in tandem with the anxiety of being a young person in 2023. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2023

If brights are too daunting, try a dark version of a color, such as burgundy, forest green, or eggplant. —Sydney Price, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

see daunt

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

daunting

adjective

daunt·​ing ˈdȯnt-iŋ 

: tending to overwhelm or intimidate

a daunting task

dauntingly adverb