adjective

daunting

/ˈdɔːntɪŋ/ · say it: DAWN·ting

seeming difficult to deal with; intimidating

In Sophisticated Everyday

In more detail

1. (adjective) seeming difficult to do or deal with; making you feel worried or frightened

2. (adjective) making someone lose confidence

Examples

1. Climbing Mount Everest is a daunting task.
2. The daunting look on his face discouraged us from asking questions.

How to use daunting

Daunting describes something that appears difficult or frightening in a way that reduces confidence or motivation. It emphasizes the psychological impact of perceived difficulty rather than actual difficulty itself. Use it when something intimidates by its apparent scale, complexity, or challenge; it is more emotional than neutral alternatives like 'difficult' or 'hard'.

Common phrases

daunting task
daunting prospect
daunting challenge
seem daunting
prove daunting
rather daunting

Synonyms

intimidating · discouraging · formidable · overwhelming · challenging

Opposites

reassuring · encouraging

Word family

daunt (verb) · dauntless (adjective) · dauntingly (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use 'daunting' to mean simply 'difficult' without the element of intimidation or loss of confidence that is central to the word's meaning.

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