DAUNTING

daunting, intimidating

(adjective) discouraging through fear

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

daunting (comparative more daunting, superlative most daunting)

Discouraging; inspiring fear.

Synonyms: disconcerting, dismaying, formidable, frightening, unnerving, unsettling

Antonym: undaunting

Intimidatingly impressive; awe-inspiring, overwhelming.

Synonym: intimidating

Antonym: undaunting

Appearing to be difficult; challenging.

Synonyms: formidable, intimidating

Antonym: undaunting

Noun

daunting (plural dauntings)

gerund of daunt.

The act of discouraging or intimidating; discouragement, intimidation.

The act of defeating, overcoming, or overwhelming.

Synonyms: taming, vanquishing

Verb

daunting

present participle of daunt

Source: Wiktionary

DAUNT

Daunt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Daunted; p. pr. & vb. n. Daunting.] Etym: [OF. danter, F. dompter to tame, subdue, fr. L. domitare, v. intens. of domare to tame. See Tame.]

1. To overcome; to conquer. [Obs.]

2. To repress or subdue the courage of; to check by fear of danger; to cow; to intimidate; to dishearten. Some presences daunt and discourage us. Glanvill.

Syn.

– To dismay; appall. See Dismay.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition