Synonyms of daunt

daunt

verb

ˈdȯnt 

as in to discourage

to lessen the courage or confidence of

the raging inferno didn't daunt the firefighters for a moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discourage
• frustrate
• intimidate
• frighten
• dishearten
• unnerve
• scare
• dispirit
• bother
• worry
• demoralize
• dismay
• afflict
• horrify
• unman
• trouble
• try
• weigh
• chill
• browbeat
• distress
• sadden
• weaken
• throw cold water on
• bully
• undermine
• cow
• depress
• vex
• dampen
• deaden
• irk
• debilitate
• damp
• enfeeble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• encourage
• nerve
• steel
• cheer
• embolden
• hearten
• enliven
• enforce
• strengthen
• assure
• reinforce
• gladden
• animate
• excite
• reassure
• fortify
• invigorate
• stimulate
• inspire
• provoke
• buoy (up)
• stir
• lift
• quicken
• energize
• boost
• rally
• galvanize

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb daunt contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of daunt are appall, dismay, and horrify. While all these words mean "to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion," daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage.

a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

When could appall be used to replace daunt?

In some situations, the words appall and daunt are roughly equivalent. However, appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks.

I am appalled by your behavior

When is dismay a more appropriate choice than daunt?

While the synonyms dismay and daunt are close in meaning, dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something.

dismayed at the size of the job

When might horrify be a better fit than daunt?

The words horrify and daunt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.

was horrified by such wanton cruelty

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of daunt

Property taxes rose 15% from 2019 to 2024, and property insurance is up a daunting 70% from 2019 to 2025 – for those who are still able to get it. —Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

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