daunt
verb (used with object)
to overcome with fear; intimidate.
had been daunting
-
past perfect progressiveof daunt.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
Outside the court, the first minister said taking the oath had been "daunting".
From BBC ● May 20, 2026
Phoebe, a Commonwealth youth gold medallist, said speaking to the BBC in February 2023 about her ordeal had been "daunting and scary".
From BBC ● Mar. 9, 2024
For Noritoshi Kanai, a Mutual Trading Co. executive, the prospect of his food-importing business bringing high-quality rice from Japan had been daunting — it would be too expensive.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 3, 2023
She said creating the images, which took two years, had been daunting because the group's story was "epic and ongoing".
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2012
