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

Of course, the daunting task of defeating Spain would still have awaited them in Sunday’s final. — Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026 By clearing out the visual noise, what’s left is a more manageable space filled only with items that belong—making the next steps feel far less daunting. — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 16 July 2026

Verb

But to get more specific, to figure out when precisely middle age begins and ends, is a daunting challenge. — Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 25 July 2026 His competition in Lead Actor in a Comedy is not particularly daunting. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for daunting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for daunting

Adjective

While the Braves have not officially shut the door on either player, the latest update paints a discouraging picture.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Tracy provided another discouraging injury update over the weekend in Anaheim as well, telling reporters that first baseman Triston Casas suffered yet another setback and has been shut down from hitting due to a wrist issue.

— Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 July 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

Ethan O’Connor seems well positioned for one of those jobs, and the prime challengers for the other are Damari Brown (whose availability is always a question because of the troublesome foot issue) and impressive second-year player Ja’boree Antoine.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
Whiteflies are among the most troublesome, and tomatoes are one of their favorite hosts.

— The Spruce, The Spruce, 18 July 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

There was a brief, disconcerting interlude of quiet from the Argentina fans after that.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
The traditional avenue for dealing with this disconcerting situation would be to hire specialist counselors trained as therapists and psychologists and station them at the schools for ready access by students.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of disconcerting

Adjective

That process repeats over and over and can be very disheartening to the team.

— Peter Nelson, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026
Still, during a summer when the Tigers are trying to resuscitate their season after a disheartening May, process creates only so much comfort.

— Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 June 2026

Definition of disheartening

Adjective

Coming home to Cleveland James’ four years in Miami featured two championships sandwiched between two dispiriting losses in the NBA Finals.

— Mark Selig, New York Times, 23 July 2026
The exits of the two men, who both identify as gay, will also mark a dispiriting step backward for LGBTQ+ representation in the C‑suite.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 20 June 2026

Definition of dispiriting

Adjective

His ballclub, fresh off a division championship and a demoralizing first-round elimination, was off to its worst start since 1973.

— Katie Woo, New York Times, 15 July 2026
The Lions would go on to suffer a demoralizing 4-1 loss to Germany that same year in a round of 16 match staged at an altitude of 4,600 feet.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of demoralizing

Browse Nearby Words

daunted

daunting

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Style

“Daunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daunting. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of daunting

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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