a daunting man

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a daunting man" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a man who inspires fear or apprehension due to his intimidating presence or demeanor. Example: "Despite his friendly smile, he was often perceived as a daunting man in the boardroom, commanding respect from all his colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Heller is a daunting man.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

So even though taking over for Mark Lamos, who departed at the top of his form after 18 years,is a daunting task, the new man in artistic charge, 33 years old, has ideas beyond a Williams retrospective.

The New York Times

Following Steve Jobs was one of the most challenging successions imaginable, a daunting responsibility for the man he handpicked — Tim Cook.

TechCrunch

In 1962, Kennedy gave America's space program, which many perceived was languishing behind that of the Soviets, a daunting challenge: Send a man to the moon and return him safely by the end of the 1960s.

Los Angeles Times

Seeing a sex worker can be a daunting task for some men – we're very experienced, they might not be – which can affect their performance.

Vice

Mr. Mackey and Mr. Young deliver strong performances, but little charisma finds its way into Mr. Velasquez's portrayal of a respectable young man in a daunting environment.

The New York Times

For an illegitimate child to prove the paternity of a long-dead man is a daunting legal challenge.

Los Angeles Times

The Giants have a daunting hole to fill behind Manning with Sorgi out.

The New York Times

Janmaat's red card will have irked the former England boss, as the Dutchman was guilty of an unnecessary and impulsive tug of Montero's shirt to leave Newcastle down to 10 men and facing a daunting task which they never looked like completing.

BBC

Oppenheimer had a daunting reputation, and often answered a junior man's question before it had even been stated.

Wikipedia

Chris Adcock has set himself a daunting task of qualifying for both the men's and mixed doubles badminton tournaments.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context: while "daunting" can be appropriate, think of the potential negative connotation of being intimidating.

Common error

Avoid using "a daunting man" in informal situations where a less intense description would be more appropriate. Overusing the term can make your writing sound overly dramatic or theatrical.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a daunting man" is to act as a noun phrase, specifically functioning as a subject complement or object complement. It describes a man, using the adjective "daunting" to modify and characterize him. Ludwig's examples show it modifying specific individuals.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a daunting man" is a phrase used to describe a male figure who inspires respect and, perhaps, a degree of apprehension. It is grammatically correct and, according to Ludwig, suitable for use in written English. While relatively rare, it appears primarily in News & Media contexts. Alternatives include "an intimidating man" or "a formidable man". When using this phrase, consider the potential negative connotations and ensure it aligns with the intended tone and context. Overusing the phrase can come across as overdramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An intimidating man

Replaces "daunting" with a more direct synonym.

A formidable man

Emphasizes the man's strength and power.

A challenging man

Focuses on the difficulty he presents to others.

A commanding man

Highlights his ability to lead and control.

An imposing man

Stresses his impressive and perhaps intimidating appearance.

A fearsome man

Conveys a sense of dread or fear.

A difficult man

Indicates he is hard to deal with or please.

A tough man

Suggests resilience and resistance to pressure.

An awe-inspiring man

Highlights the respect and admiration he evokes.

A respected man

Focuses on the esteem in which he is held, often due to his accomplishments or character, overlapping somewhat with but not directly implying 'daunting'.

FAQs

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

You can use "a daunting man" to describe someone who inspires respect or fear through their presence or abilities. For example, "The CEO was "a daunting man" who commanded attention in every meeting."

What are some alternatives to "a daunting man"?

Alternatives include "an intimidating man", "a formidable man", or "a challenging man", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe a woman as "a daunting man"?

No, the phrase "a daunting man" is gender-specific. To describe a woman with similar qualities, consider using phrases like "a formidable woman" or "an intimidating presence".

What's the difference between "a daunting man" and "a respected man"?

"A daunting man" implies a sense of intimidation or challenge alongside respect, whereas "a respected man" primarily focuses on the esteem and admiration he receives without necessarily implying intimidation.