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Dictionary.com
Definitions

daunting

ADJECTIVE
appalling
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alarming astounding awful dire disheartening dreadful frightening frightful ghastly harrowing hideous horrible horrific shocking terrible terrifying
STRONG
bad dismaying gross heavy intimidating mean petrifying scaring unnerving
WEAK
fearful formidable grim grody horrid the end
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calming comforting delightful good nice pleasant pleasing wonderful
STRONG
polite
WEAK
encouraging reassuring satisfying
ADJECTIVE
awesome
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amazing astonishing astounding awe-inspiring breathtaking imposing inspiring magnificent majestic miraculous spectacular staggering stunning stupefying sublime wonderful wondrous
STRONG
affecting arresting august exalted formidable grand moving overwhelming shocking solemn striking
WEAK
dreadful fearsome intimidating transcendent
Antonyms
STRONGEST
mundane normal uninspiring
ADJECTIVE
depressing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bleak disheartening dismal dispiriting distressing dreary gloomy heartbreaking sad
STRONG
black dejecting saddening
WEAK
funereal hopeless joyless melancholic melancholy mournful oppressive somber
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bright cheerful comforting encouraging exhilarating glad happy joyful light pleasant sunny
WEAK
cheering
ADJECTIVE
discouraging
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bleak depressing disappointing disheartening dismal dispiriting dreary gloomy
STRONG
black dampening deterring dismaying dissuading hindering repressing
WEAK
depressive disadvantageous inopportune off-putting oppressive unfavorable unpropitious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bright cheerful encouraging happy light pleasant sunny
WEAK
auspicious favorable heartening inspiring inspiriting
ADJECTIVE
formidable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
awesome dangerous dire dreadful fierce imposing intimidating menacing terrific
WEAK
appalling awful dismaying fearful frightful horrific redoubtable shocking terrible threatening
Antonyms
STRONGEST
trivial unimportant unthreatening
WEAK
friendly harmless nice pleasant
ADJECTIVE
frightening
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disheartening
WEAK
formidable rebarbative redoubtable
Antonyms
WEAK
comforting
ADJECTIVE
frightful/frightening
Synonyms
WEAK
alarming appalling atrocious awesome awful chilling dire direful dismaying disquieting dread dreadful fearful fearsome formidable ghastly grabber grim grisly gruesome hair-raising hairy harrowing hideous horrendous horrible horrid horrifying inconceivable intimidating lurid macabre menacing morbid ominous petrifying portentous repellent spooky terrible terrifying traumatic unnerving unspeakable
Antonyms
WEAK
calming comforting pleasing
ADJECTIVE
gruesome
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appalling frightful ghastly grim grisly hideous horrendous horrid horrific horrifying lurid macabre morbid shocking terrible terrifying ugly weird
WEAK
abominable fearful grody gross loathsome monstrous offensive repugnant repulsive sick spine-tingling
Antonyms
STRONGEST
attractive cheerful comforting delightful gentle good happy nice normal pleasant pleasing wonderful
WEAK
pretty
NOUN
intimidation
Synonyms
STRONGEST
coercion
STRONG
frightening
WEAK
browbeating cowing demoralizing scare tactics terrorizing threatening

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Digging into the jargon on mortgage regulations and credit scores can be daunting.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 25, 2026

His portfolio would be daunting even in peacetime.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

The math is daunting: in normal times, Europe uses about 1.6 million barrels a day of jet fuel.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

“Free TK is growing in popularity, especially among middle-income Angelenos who earlier faced daunting child-care bills,” Fuller said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

Howard’s inclination was to scratch him, but the potential consequences were daunting.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Vocabulary lists containing daunting

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"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 1

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Michelle Obama's final address as First Lady (2017)

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