daunting

adjective

daunt·​ing ˈdȯn-tiŋ How to pronounce daunting (audio)
ˈdän-
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Whatever evil befalls the poor child is left up to viewers' imaginations, and this is accomplished by a chilling series of shots and a daunting musical motif. Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025 His liver will keep him supine, doused until it’s done with its daunting task of detoxification. Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025 Recognizing the daunting task ahead, Gandbhir brought in her own editor, Viridiana Lieberman. Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025 For a short time, the daunting task seemed manageable, even with no timeouts. Chase Gemes, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for daunting

Word History

Etymology

see daunt

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Daunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/daunting. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

daunting

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

More from Merriam-Webster on daunting

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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