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 of daunt

• 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

Over time, those once-daunting moments have become opportunities — not just to succeed, but to share that success with others, whether through competition or simply hearing the reaction of a crowd. —Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026

What Brody and others are trying to dismantle is already part of a daunting corporate and technological superstructure. —Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026

Possibility is daunting, but possibility is also such a treasure. —R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026

The daunting part is editing down that plethora of material, but Ken was left to that, mostly. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English daunten, borrowed from Anglo-French danter, daunter, going back to Latin domitāre "to subdue, bring under control," frequentative of domāre "to subdue, tame" — more at tame entry 1

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