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
Adeline Adams
Synonyms
- chill
- demoralize
- discourage
- dishearten
- dismay
- dispirit
- frustrate
- unman
- unnerve
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the raging inferno didn't daunt the firefighters for a moment
Recent Examples on the Web The recent crypto climate doesn’t daunt this ex-Coinbase intern’s passion for crypto. 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
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
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
Kids Definition
daunt
verb
ˈdȯnt
daunted; daunting
: discourage sense 1, frighten
The dangers didn't daunt them.
daunts
verb
as in discourages
to lessen the courage or confidence of the raging inferno didn't daunt the firefighters for a moment Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- discourages
- frustrates
- disheartens
- intimidates
- frightens
- unnerves
- dismays
- horrifies
- scares
- dispirits
- unmans
- troubles
- worries
- saddens
- afflicts
- demoralizes
- bothers
- browbeats
- irks
- chills
- weighs
- distresses
- vexes
- cows
- bullies
- tries
- throws cold water on
- debilitates
- undermines
- deadens
- depresses
- weakens
- enfeebles
- damps
- dampens
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- encourages
- nerves
- emboldens
- cheers
- gladdens
- heartens
- invigorates
- animates
- steels
- reinforces
- buoys (up)
- assures
- strengthens
- excites
- enforces
- reassures
- inspires
- fortifies
- stimulates
- provokes
- stirs
- energizes
- enlivens
- quickens
- lifts
- boosts
- reenforces
- galvanizes
- rallies