a daunting figure

USAGE SUMMARY

"a daunting figure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an intimidatingly large number or amount, or to refer to a person/animal with an intimidating presence. For example: "The company reported a daunting figure of $10 million in losses this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Jim Traficant is a daunting figure in Youngstown politics," Mr. Alberty said.

The New York Times

That is a daunting figure, but a wild-card run seems manageable.

The New York Times - Sports

He is a daunting figure, so celebrated he is known everywhere by his first name alone: Rudy.

The New York Times

California must plug a $13 billion budget hole over the next 18 months, a daunting figure until one recalls the $42 billion gap the state faced in 2009.

The Economist

But the $154 million is already a daunting figure — for context, that amount is the same as the entire annual budget of the National Endowment for the Arts.

The New York Times

Rerunning his calculations, Mr Queiroz found that, together, these would cause the pensions payroll tax in 2050 to rise to 40% (still a daunting figure).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Apollo leads four none too stable women across some tricky ground toward a rather daunting figure of Time.

The New York Times - Arts

Another daunting figure!

The New York Times

The most daunting figure in Jim's world is the grandfather who will have nothing to do with him and who can also be found somewhere up the mountain.

The New York Times - Books

That daunting figure was what David Kappos, the director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, addressed in an April 13 talk to 250 medical technology inventors, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and patent attorneys at a conference on intellectual property and entrepreneurship held at the School of Medicine.

Stanford University

As the death toll in the Oakland warehouse fire climbs, investigators face a daunting task: figuring out how flames swiftly raced through the building and killed so many inside. .

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a daunting figure" when you want to convey a sense of intimidation or challenge associated with a person or a number/statistic. The phrase works well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a daunting figure" when you simply mean 'difficult' or 'challenging' without the added implication of intimidation or overwhelming scale. Choose a more precise adjective if the situation lacks that element of being intimidating.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a daunting figure" primarily functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It's used to characterize something or someone as intimidating, challenging, or overwhelming. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English, often appearing in contexts where a person's power or a number's size creates a sense of unease or respect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Arts

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a daunting figure" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone or something that is intimidating, challenging, or overwhelming. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it conveys a sense of respect, challenge, and perhaps unease. The phrase is primarily used in "News & Media", but also in "Arts" and "Formal & Business" contexts. When writing, remember that using "a daunting figure" implies more than just difficulty; it suggests an overwhelming quality. Alternatives include "an intimidating presence", "a formidable character" and "an imposing individual". Keep in mind to use "a daunting figure" when you want to convey a sense of intimidation or challenge associated with a person or a number/statistic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an intimidating presence

Focuses on the feeling of unease or fear someone inspires.

a formidable character

Highlights someone's strength and capability.

an imposing individual

Emphasizes physical stature and perceived authority.

a commanding personality

Stresses someone's ability to lead and influence.

a challenging opponent

Highlights the difficulty in competing against someone.

a respected leader

Underlines someone's admired position and guidance.

an authoritative person

Focuses on the power and credibility someone possesses.

a powerful influence

Highlights the extent of someone's impact.

a significant presence

Emphasizes the importance and visibility someone has.

a dominant force

Stresses the overwhelming power someone exerts.

FAQs

How can I use "a daunting figure" in a sentence?

You can use "a daunting figure" to describe someone or something that appears intimidating or overwhelming. For example, "The debt was "a daunting figure" to overcome" or "The CEO was "a daunting figure" in the industry".

What are some alternatives to "a daunting figure"?

Alternatives include "an intimidating presence", "a formidable character", or "an imposing individual", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a daunting figure"?

It's appropriate when describing someone or something that evokes a sense of challenge, respect, and perhaps a degree of fear or unease due to its power or scale. It suggests more than mere difficulty; it implies an overwhelming quality.

Is "a daunting figure" formal or informal?

"A daunting figure" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness largely depends on the surrounding vocabulary and tone of the writing.