daunt

[ dawnt, dahnt ]
See synonyms for: dauntdaunteddaunting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to overcome with fear; intimidate: to daunt one's adversaries.

  2. to lessen the courage of; dishearten: Don't be daunted by the amount of work still to be done.

Origin of daunt

1
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English da(u)nten, from Anglo-French da(u)nter, Old French danter, alteration of donter (probably by influence of dangier “power, authority”; see danger), from Latin domitāre “to tame,” derivative of domitus “tamed,” past participle of domāre “to tame”

Other words for daunt

Opposites for daunt

Other words from daunt

  • daunt·ing·ly, adverb
  • daunt·ing·ness, noun
  • un·daunt·ing, adjective

Words Nearby daunt

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use daunt in a sentence

  • No misfortunes could disturb the serenity of her soul, and no accumulating perils could daunt her courage.

  • He was experiencing a strange new joy of possession, which no possibility of ridicule could daunt.

    The Butterfly House | Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
  • He declared that no opposition, derision, or contempt, should daunt him.

  • Even the storm at its height could not daunt such furious riders.

    Riders of the Silences | John Frederick
  • She inspired us with a courage, a power, and a confidence in her and in our cause, which nothing could shake or daunt.

    A Heroine of France | Evelyn Everett-Green

British Dictionary definitions for daunt

daunt

/ (dɔːnt) /


verb(tr; often passive)
  1. to intimidate

  2. to dishearten

Origin of daunt

1
C13: from Old French danter, changed from donter to conquer, from Latin domitāre to tame

Derived forms of daunt

  • daunter, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012