daunt
[dawnt, dahnt]
verb (used with object)
to overcome with fear; intimidate: to daunt one's adversaries.
to lessen the courage of; dishearten: Don't be daunted by the amount of work still to be done.
Origin of daunt
1250–1300; Middle English da(u)nten < Anglo-French da(u)nter, Old French danter, alteration of donter (probably by influence of dangier power, authority; see danger) < Latin domitāre to tame, derivative of domitus, past participle of domāre to tame
Synonyms for daunt
Antonyms for daunt
2. encourage.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for daunt
dismay, discourage, dishearten, subdue, dispirit, intimidate, appall, deter, baffle, horrify, scare, terrify, thwart, bully, cow, consternate, foil, shake, browbeat, overaweExamples from the Web for daunt
Historical Examples of daunt
She felt a dismal suspicion that this was going to daunt her.
Quaint CourtshipsVarious
Happy, healthy, hearty and with a fund of good nature that nothing could daunt.
Frank Roscoe's SecretAllen Chapman
All night he ran, blundering in the darkness into mishaps and obstacles that delayed but did not daunt.
White FangJack London
If they are imaginary, there is too much in this Book against quackery to daunt us.
The Book of KhalidAmeen Rihani
These were not considerations to daunt a soldier, a valiant man of war.
The Historical Nights' EntertainmentRafael Sabatini
daunt
verb (tr; often passive)
Word Origin for daunt
C13: from Old French danter, changed from donter to conquer, from Latin domitāre to tame
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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