as in to discourage
to lessen the courage or confidence of
the raging inferno didn't daunt the firefighters for a moment
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of daunt
Starting over was first impossible, then daunting, and then slowly manifested through a combination of therapy and more spiritual remedies (brief flirtations with Scientology and the Nation of Islam didn’t take hold).
—
Jackson Howard, Pitchfork, 29 Mar. 2026
For beginners, taking on a project can seem daunting and some people don't know who or where to turn to.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
The process of helping a loved one with treatment for serious mental illnesses is often daunting.
—Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026
The community wasn’t daunted by the warmth of the day, with crowds lining the streets to watch as floats, marching bands, equestrian groups, community organizations and more marched past, celebrating San Juan Capistrano and the area’s history.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for daunt
Jackson Howard, Pitchfork, 29 Mar. 2026
For beginners, taking on a project can seem daunting and some people don't know who or where to turn to.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
The process of helping a loved one with treatment for serious mental illnesses is often daunting.
—Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026
The community wasn’t daunted by the warmth of the day, with crowds lining the streets to watch as floats, marching bands, equestrian groups, community organizations and more marched past, celebrating San Juan Capistrano and the area’s history.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for daunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for daunt
Verb
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The income that a proficiency with needle and thread commands relative to the skills needed and the physical toll of bending over detailed work for hours likely discourages teenagers and young adults from heeding Bae’s advice, fashion industry experts said.—
Anne D’Innocenzio,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
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In 2019, the odds for the three worst teams were flattened, as a way to discourage teams from racing to the bottom.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Chris Kuhns, who worked as an investigator in the BOI for 20 years and wrote the shelved report into Ramirez’s death, was frustrated by the unit’s inability to accomplish what it was required to do by law.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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While experts say the funds are beginning to make a difference, the sluggish pace of spending in some communities, from the wine country of Grand Traverse County to mid-Michigan's Eaton County, has frustrated some state leaders.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Daunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daunt. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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