as in frustrating
to lessen the courage or confidence of
the raging inferno didn't daunt the firefighters for a moment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in discouraging
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025
The Gophers’ run game is a concern going into a daunting matchup against the defending national champion Buckeyes.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025
Stav Ziv, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
Whether CEOs view the new age of AI with optimism or concern, the constant talk of AI replacing jobs could feel daunting for employees.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for daunting
Verb
Replacing Travis Hunter on defense Finding a way to replace Hunter was always going to be a daunting task, as the Heisman Trophy winner served as Colorado’s best wide receiver and cornerback.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025
The Gophers’ run game is a concern going into a daunting matchup against the defending national champion Buckeyes.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Start small—it'll get easier These conversations might be daunting.
—Stav Ziv, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
Whether CEOs view the new age of AI with optimism or concern, the constant talk of AI replacing jobs could feel daunting for employees.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for daunting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for daunting
Verb
-
In fact, immunization is a dicey-enough financial proposition that the administration’s anti-vaccine policies already are discouraging providers from stocking some immunizations.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Before her groundbreaking discoveries made headlines around the world, Goodall endured long, discouraging stretches in the field.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Common Challenges and Solutions Botrytis blight and mildew can be troublesome for peonies thanks to the heat and humidity in the South.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Radon gas, a decay product of elements formed billions of years ago during the solar system’s birth, is especially troublesome.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
On top of this dismaying thought comes the realization that the AI is available 24x7 and at a low cost or perhaps even free.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
But the drum sound wasn’t nearly as dismaying as the studio’s piano, which kept slipping out of tune.—
Peter Ames Carlin,
Rolling Stone,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The result was a disconcerting 31-28 loss that relegated the Chiefs to 2-3 and leaves us to question anew just who and what this team is.—
Chris Ochsner,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Overall, more disconcerting for staffers at the network are Paramount’s plans for significant layoffs later this year.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
At the end of the day, the result was a bit disheartening.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Seeing that textbook go to waste felt very disheartening.—
Sami Khan,
Mercury News,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The rookie’s miscue sent the Giants to one of the most dispiriting losses of the tenure of Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Some folks harbor a dispiriting conviction that governments are unable to handle the simplest task.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The first came at a demoralizing time for the Patriots’ offense.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
21 Sep. 2025
-
The Indianapolis City-County Council is nearing a key vote that will end in either a demoralizing defeat for Google or the city approving a major data center against the wishes of the councilor and residents on the southeast side of the city.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That's what makes reports of Wikipedia's systemic bias especially troubling.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 Oct. 2025
-
For many 007 fans who commented online, the artwork situation may have been a troubling look to the future of James Bond, especially with a new film being readied and Denis Villeneuve in the director’s chair.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Daunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daunting. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share