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

That sounds like an incredibly daunting task, considering all the source material available. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026 Doe, however, told campus police her experience was far more daunting. — Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026

Verb

Yet, is winning election to an unprecedented fourth term a feat too daunting for even Lula, the great giant of the Latin American left? — David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 The brain is unbelievably complicated, which is both daunting and fascinating for neuroscientists like me. — Kimberlee D'ardenne, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for daunting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for daunting

Adjective

Conventional wisdom suggests such discouraging numbers would depress turnout.

— Christopher Miller, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026
His fellow scientists are neither comforting nor discouraging.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 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

Miami’s subpar pass protection, inexperience at receiver and troublesome play calling have been contributing factors.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
When lighting a miniature proved troublesome, the crew employed motion-control rigs to capture multiple exposures, enabling the lighting to be adjusted later in compositing.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 13 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

One highlight for me was my session with an energy healer named Djik Dewa, who balances out the body’s chakras with gentle massage, chanting, and deep eye contact—a disconcerting but powerful experience.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
Ultimately, swarms of AI could combine in rather disconcerting and dangerous ways.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of disconcerting

Adjective

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
Amid disheartening and disruptive school closures and thousands of position cuts districts have been forced to implement due to million-dollar budget shortfalls, vacancies have continued to climb.

— Andrew Spar, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of disheartening

Adjective

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
For Tampa, what was even more dispiriting than falling to 0-3 was that quarterback Baker Mayfield left with a dislocated thumb that puts his active league-high streak of 54 consecutive starts in jeopardy.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of dispiriting

Adjective

That can sound empowering or demoralizing, depending on your perception of AI and ability to master it.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
Zibanejad was a deserving team MVP in an otherwise demoralizing 2025-26 campaign, posting his highest totals in three years for goals (34) and points (78).

— Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of demoralizing

Browse Nearby Words

daunted

daunting

dauntless

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Daunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daunting. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of daunting

adjective

verb

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