DAUNT Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

daunt

verb

ˈdȯnt

Definition of daunt

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of daunt Against that daunting but impossible-to-time prospect, the bond market is now offering a cushion at the best values in years. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026 Yet, is winning election to an unprecedented fourth term a feat too daunting for even Lula, the great giant of the Latin American left? — David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 The brain is unbelievably complicated, which is both daunting and fascinating for neuroscientists like me. — Kimberlee D'ardenne, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026 Her outsize presence was daunting, her rage palpable, her volume high. — Amei Wallach, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for daunt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for daunt

Verb

In its lawsuit, Arizona said ChatGPT encourages teens to share personal information with it and, at times, discourages them from sharing that information with parents, authorities or friends.

— Marc Levy, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Amid reports of a surge in federal immigration raids, Los Angeles leaders and immigration advocates said Friday that the efforts appear aimed at discouraging turnout in the midterm elections, and urged voters not to be intimidated.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of discourage

Verb

Since then, Qatar has been frustrated by allegations leveled by Israeli political leaders that its payments to Gaza had helped finance the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Wright acknowledged that people are frustrated with the additional costs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of frustrate

Browse Nearby Words

daughter

daunt

daunted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Daunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daunt. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of daunt

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes