daunt

verb

ˈdȯnt 

ˈdänt

daunted; daunting; daunts

transitive verb

: to lessen the courage of : cow, subdue

obstacles that would have daunted a man of less intrepid mind

—Adeline Adams

Synonyms

• chill
• demoralize
• discourage
• dishearten
• dismay
• dispirit
• frustrate
• unman
• unnerve

Choose the Right Synonym for daunt

dismay, appall, horrify, daunt mean to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion.

dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something.

dismayed at the size of the job

appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks.

I am appalled by your behavior

horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.

was horrified by such wanton cruelty

daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage.

a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

Examples of daunt in a Sentence

the raging inferno didn't daunt the firefighters for a moment

Recent Examples on the Web

Editors’ Picks Yet even Dudamel may well be daunted by the position. —Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 7 June 2024

Starting can seem daunting with so many native Indiana plants, but the state has a growing community of organizations and individuals willing to help anyone interested. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Apr. 2024

Don’t be daunted by the price per pound; mushrooms are mostly air, so a few ounces will go far. —Fatima Khawaja, Saveur, 31 May 2024

Individually, these efforts can be dismissed as a drop in the bucket in the context of daunting homelessness and rising housing prices. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French danter, daunter, from Latin domitare to tame, frequentative of domare — more at tame

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

daunt

verb

ˈdȯnt 

ˈdänt

: to lessen the courage of : make afraid