daunt
verb
transitive verb
Adeline Adams
Synonyms
- chill
- demoralize
- discourage
- dishearten
- dismay
- dispirit
- frustrate
- unman
- unnerve
Example Sentences
Fortune, 29 June 2022 The Senator is taking on a task that would daunt most members of Congress, pushing forward a set of Coast Guard-boosting proposals that have, for one reason or another, failed to gain traction in Washington over the past several years. Craig Hooper, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2021 And though that prospect would daunt many other New Yorkers, shoes have become an indelible part of the show’s mythology. Sarah Spellings, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2021 Swimming can also genuinely daunt Black men and women whose hair might respond poorly to chlorinated water. Samanth Subramanian, Quartz, 1 July 2021 But its demands can also cow and daunt and unnerve them. New York Times, 23 May 2021 Neither the science nor statistics of the new vaccine daunt them. New York Times, 30 Apr. 2021 There are no right or wrong answers, but the choices can daunt us. Kris Putnam-walkerly, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2021 The Wings' 2019-20 struggles to score and defend do not daunt Greiss. Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 11 Oct. 2020 See More Word History
Middle English, from Anglo-French danter, daunter, from Latin domitare to tame, frequentative of domare — more at tame
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
daunt
verb
daunt
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- discourage
- frustrate
- dishearten
- intimidate
- dispirit
- unnerve
- frighten
- dismay
- scare
- horrify
- unman
- worry
- afflict
- demoralize
- trouble
- bother
- sadden
- browbeat
- try
- irk
- weigh
- chill
- distress
- bully
- undermine
- debilitate
- throw cold water on
- vex
- cow
- weaken
- deaden
- enfeeble
- dampen
- depress
- damp
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- encourage
- nerve
- steel
- cheer
- embolden
- hearten
- enliven
- assure
- strengthen
- enforce
- gladden
- reinforce
- excite
- reassure
- invigorate
- animate
- inspire
- stimulate
- fortify
- provoke
- stir
- buoy (up)
- lift
- quicken
- energize
- boost
- reenforce
- rally
- galvanize
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of daunt are appall, dismay, and horrify. While all these words mean "to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion," daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage.
In some situations, the words appall and daunt are roughly equivalent. However, appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks.
While the synonyms dismay and daunt are close in meaning, dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something.
The words horrify and daunt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.