daunting

C1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈdɔntɪŋ/ UK /ˈdɔːntɪŋ/ See IPA manual

adj noun verb Freq #24002

Meanings

1

adj
Seeming so difficult or large that it makes you feel nervous or discouraged.

Learning a new language can feel like a daunting task at first.
2

adj
Frightening or threatening in a way that takes away your courage.

The towering cliffs looked daunting to the inexperienced climbers.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · seeming so difficult or... formidable intimidating frightening unnerving

2 adj · frightening or threatening... disconcerting dismaying unsettling

Word family

Derived forms dauntinglydauntingnessundauntingundauntingly

Related forms dauntdauntedlydaunter dauntlessdauntlesslyundauntable undaunted undauntedly undauntedness

Etymology

From daunt + -ing.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

# daunting

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** adj, noun, verb
**IPA (US):** ˈdɔntɪŋ
**IPA (UK):** ˈdɔːntɪŋ
**Frequency rank:** 24002

## Meanings
1. Seeming so difficult or large that it makes you feel nervous or discouraged.
2. Frightening or threatening in a way that takes away your courage.

## Examples
- Learning a new language can feel like a daunting task at first.
- The towering cliffs looked daunting to the inexperienced climbers.

## Derived Forms
- dauntingly
- dauntingness
- undaunting
- undauntingly

## Related Forms
- daunt
- dauntedly
- daunter
- dauntless
- dauntlessly
- undauntable
- undaunted
- undauntedly
- undauntedness

## Etymology
From daunt + -ing.

## AI Etymology
Daunting is from daunt + -ing. In present-day use, it can mean seeming so difficult or large that it makes you feel nervous or discouraged, or frightening or threatening in a way that takes away your courage. Derived formations include dauntingly, dauntingness, undaunting, and undauntingly.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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daunting

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