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.
If getting this set up on your own sounds daunting, don’t be afraid to ask for help, McCoy says. Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 23 July 2025 While starting a business can seem like a daunting task, there is a process for doing so. Rhett Buttle, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025 Still, Scheffler has gone 10 tournaments without finishing out of the top 10 and would appear to present a challenge every bit as daunting as Royal Portrush. Doug Ferguson, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2025 That’s an especially daunting proposition in Hong Kong, where land is expensive, and each location will require zoning approvals, grid connectivity, and all-hours vehicle access. Clay Chandler, Fortune, 19 July 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 29 Jul. 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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