Synonyms of daunt

daunt

verb

ˈdȯnt 

as in to discourage

to lessen the courage or confidence of

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discourage
• frustrate
• intimidate
• frighten
• dishearten
• unnerve
• scare
• dispirit
• bother
• worry
• demoralize
• dismay
• afflict
• horrify
• unman
• trouble
• try
• weigh
• chill
• browbeat
• distress
• sadden
• weaken
• throw cold water on
• bully
• undermine
• cow
• depress
• vex
• dampen
• deaden
• irk
• debilitate
• damp
• enfeeble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• encourage
• nerve
• steel
• cheer
• embolden
• hearten
• enliven
• enforce
• strengthen
• assure
• reinforce
• gladden
• animate
• excite
• reassure
• fortify
• invigorate
• stimulate
• inspire
• provoke
• buoy (up)
• stir
• lift
• quicken
• energize
• boost
• rally
• galvanize

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb daunt contrast with its synonyms?

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.

a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

When could appall be used to replace daunt?

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.

I am appalled by your behavior

When is dismay a more appropriate choice than daunt?

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.

dismayed at the size of the job

When might horrify be a better fit than daunt?

The words horrify and daunt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.

was horrified by such wanton cruelty

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of daunt

And yet, nothing has properly prepared the son of Poseidon for the daunting quest that lies ahead in season 3. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 21 July 2026

The thought of another dead calf is daunting, and can derail a budget for months. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026

But with so many styles on the market, choosing the right one can be as daunting as remodeling your kitchen itself. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

The prospect of deploying so many satellites is no longer daunting since the advent of lower-cost rocket launches driven by SpaceX, which has enabled the growing megaconstellations with thousands of satellites such as Starlink. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026