daunt
daunt
Definition
daunt (dônt, dänt)
transitive verb
to make discouraged; intimidate; dishearten
Etymology: ME daunten < OFr danter, donter < L domitare, to tame, freq. of domare, tame
daunt
Synonyms
daunt
Usage Examples
Subject
- prospect: They are daunted by the prospect of using a computer package with which they are not familiar.
Object
- applicant: Although the list may seem daunting, most applicants understand that they are vital.
- prospect: Having to prepare Restoration food, whilst catering for the three vegetarians is our number was too daunting a prospect.
- task: Or perhaps the thought of creating a large scale water feature is for some to daunting a task?
Preposition: at
- prospect: They can be quite daunted at the prospect of passing key skills tests for their NVQs.
- time: Yes, it's hard work and yes, it gets a bit daunting at times.
Modifying Another Word
- somewhat: I felt somewhat daunted by the prospect of the long drive home.
- initially: Although this list may appear daunting initially, the movement of your child from home to nursery should in fact be relatively straightforward.
- however: I don't think either of them will fold under the pressure, however daunting their task.
- enough: The needs of three million children below the poverty line are daunting enough.
- rather: I began to feel rather daunted at the prospect of traveling alone through remote, non-English speaking areas.
- quite: They can be quite daunted at the prospect of passing key skills tests for their NVQs.
Used with why or when
- when: Software installation and removal Do you find it daunting when you buy new software and receive a thick installation guide with it?
Present participle complement
- try: It can be daunting trying to make a decision.
Preposition: by
- prospect: They are daunted by the prospect of using a computer package with which they are not familiar.
- complexity: Are you daunted by the complexity and expense of ICT?
- thought: Many anglers are daunted by the thought of Rutland Water let alone the prospect of taking on hundreds of square miles of coastline!
- task: The participants in the seminar were not daunted by the task.
- challenge: I have never run further than a half marathon before so I am excited and a bit daunted by the challenge!
- idea: Online Running Club Don't be daunted by the idea of taking up running.
Browse dictionary entries near daunt
- Daumier
- daughterly
- daughter-in-law
- daughter cell
- daughter
- Daugavpils
- Daudet
- Daubigny
- daube
- daub
