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 head-to-toe Helly Hansen rain gear in every closet and a fireplace in every room to make the spring climes of the Pacific Northwest feel less daunting. — Alexandra Marvar, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 Starting with a few basic questions can make the process less daunting. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Verb

The patriarchal, academic, hierarchical setting of hospitals, particularly university hospitals, is overwhelmingly daunting for me. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026 Gene therapy can be a daunting process that may deter some patients. — Steven Ross Johnson, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for daunting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for daunting

Adjective

The charges were filed less than two weeks before the midterm election, breaking with longstanding DOJ guidance discouraging actions that could affect upcoming political races.

— Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Conventional wisdom suggests such discouraging numbers would depress turnout.

— Christopher Miller, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 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

In 1973, Mahan held the halter of a Derby entrant while Copelan treated a troublesome abscess with hot compresses.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
To strengthen the troublesome solar cell interface, the NIMTE research team inserted an ultra-thin indium chloride intermediate layer that undergoes a localized reaction upon heating.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 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

While bulls and bears will continue to argue about the ROI on AI spending, there were plenty of disconcerting signs across the full quarterly report.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026
Wall Street is becoming more disconcerting about the data center buildout, and companies that are burning through free cash flow are getting punished.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of disconcerting

Adjective

Perhaps the most disheartening part, though, was the fact that the Falcons offense had to operate on a silent count at home.

— Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 19 Oct. 2026
One of the more disheartening developments for the Eagles has been their complete inability to generate productive drives upon returning from halftime.

— Andy Behrens, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of disheartening

Adjective

How dispiriting that 11 aldermanic races already are decided.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Without spoiling the plot, there’s a dispiriting note at the end of the film as text on-screen informs us that some very high percentage of Americans get their news from Facebook to this day.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of dispiriting

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 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of daunting

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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