daunting

adjective

daunt·​ing ˈdȯn-tiŋ 

ˈdän-

: tending to overwhelm or intimidate

a daunting task

dauntingly

ˈdȯn-tiŋ-lē 

ˈdän-

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

In 1942, the United States had entered the Second World War and was facing the daunting problem of how to move massive amounts of men, munitions, and supplies across the Atlantic Ocean to Britain in the face of Germany's all-out U-boat offensive to sink as much Allied shipping as possible. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 25 Dec. 2024

Already weakened by a 14-month war with Israel, Hezbollah will now face the daunting task of recovering with far less direct logistical support from Iran. —Hamidreza Azizi, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2024

Picking out a look for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve (and everything in between) can be a daunting task. —Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 20 Dec. 2024

But the task proves to be more daunting, and important, than Adams first thought. —Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see daunt

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

daunting

adjective

daunt·​ing ˈdȯnt-iŋ 

: tending to overwhelm or intimidate

a daunting task

dauntingly adverb