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

• discourage
• frustrate

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

There are currently many options on the market, which can make deciding what to buy daunting without standardized eye protection guidelines. —NPR, 21 Oct. 2025

But when the parents began the planning process, taking a DIY approach to a multi-country trip for four adults and three teenagers (two high-school grads and an 8th-grade graduate) proved daunting. —Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025

That’s daunting, and empathy alone doesn’t draw the map. —Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

Job interviews can be daunting, with hiring managers known to throw around intimating questions. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for daunt

• flaunt
• font
• gaunt
• haunt
• jaunt
• pont
• taunt
• vaunt
• want
• avant
• croissant
• detente

Kids Definition

daunt

verb

ˈdȯnt 

ˈdänt

: to lessen the courage of : make afraid