DAUNTING Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

daunting 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of daunting

as in discouraging

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

daunting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of daunt

as in frustrating

to lessen the courage or confidence of the raging inferno didn't daunt the firefighters for a moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of daunting

Adjective

There's also the daunting task of keeping young conservatives engaged at a time when many of them are unhappy with party leaders. — Elena Moore, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026 Part of the humor is that Pace, so physically daunting, is far less powerful than the sisters. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

Verb

The density of both Rankin’s style and his tour through history can be daunting for anyone generally unfamiliar with Canadian politics, such as myself. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026 Gang Green’s schedule will be daunting over the next three weeks. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for daunting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for daunting

Adjective

His fellow scientists are neither comforting nor discouraging.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026
Then a rough 2025, a crowded rotation in 2026 and a discouraging bullpen stint led Pfaadt back to Reno.

— Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of discouraging

Verb

But Algo’s hyper-logical, computerised process of consistently picking the favourites to win was undone in the second match of the day, with Ghana frustrating England in a 0-0 draw.

— The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 24 June 2026
The documentary’s contradiction is right there, enthralling us with the wild achievements Potter pulled off and frustrating us with his bombast, leading us to ponder whether, as The Dark Wizard suggests, either could exist without the other.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026

Definition of frustrating

Adjective

Antibiotic overuse remains common for other conditions of later life, too, including the kind of urinary tract infections that cause no troublesome symptoms and upper respiratory infections that are typically viral, not bacterial.

— Paula Span, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
In Bad Apples, Maria ends up accidentally taking and locking her troublesome student, Danny, in her home following a series of questionable decisions and a desperate moment.

— Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of troublesome

Adjective

Most dismaying to me was the group’s seemingly endless tinkering with the menu at Rowdy Rooster, its fast-casual fried-chicken spot, including a downgrade in the chicken’s range of heat.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Some recent comments from longtime Voicers have been especially dismaying.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 June 2026

Definition of dismaying

Adjective

Amid disheartening and disruptive school closures and thousands of position cuts districts have been forced to implement due to million-dollar budget shortfalls, vacancies have continued to climb.

— Andrew Spar, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
This has been especially disheartening because the strategy and RPG elements the series is known for have so far been excellent.

— Jay Peters, The Verge, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of disheartening

Adjective

That means that the richest and most powerful country in the world has seen a dramatic and dispiriting decline in opportunity for the less well off.

— John Lanchester, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
The dispiriting run that followed left Moyes vulnerable, but the Scot, who first managed the club between 2002-13 before leaving for the Manchester United job, has now become a figure of reassurance.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of dispiriting

Adjective

Zibanejad was a deserving team MVP in an otherwise demoralizing 2025-26 campaign, posting his highest totals in three years for goals (34) and points (78).

— Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Suddenly, in this most demoralizing scenario, USC is out of the Playoff picture at the halfway point of the season.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of demoralizing

Browse Nearby Words

daunted

daunting

dauntless

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Style

“Daunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daunting. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of daunting

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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