Daunt: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：intimidate (daunt)

daunt 🔊

/dɔːnt/

vt.

to make someone feel too scared or unsure to do something.

Daunt definition illustrated by a person facing a daunting wall of books, feeling overwhelmed.

intimidate 🔊

➕

/ɪnˈtɪmɪdeɪt/

vt.

To cause someone to feel too frightened or uncertain to proceed with an action.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：中级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'domitare', meaning 'to tame'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'daunt' blends 'doubt' and 'haunt', causing fear and uncertainty.

📖 Example

The thought of giving a speech in front of the whole school daunted the shy student. 🔊 The idea of delivering a speech to the entire school intimidated the timid student.

🔗 Collocations

daunting task – a task that is intimidating or overwhelming

daunted by – feeling intimidated or discouraged by something

nothing daunted – not at all intimidated or discouraged

🔄 Synonyms

intimidate (vt.) – to make someone feel frightened or nervous

frighten (vt.) – to cause fear in someone

discourage (vt.) – to cause someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm

🚫 Antonyms

encourage (vt.) – to give support, confidence, or hope to someone

embolden (vt.) – to give someone the courage or confidence to do something

🌱 Derivatives

daunting (adj.) – intimidating or overwhelming

dauntless (adj.) – showing fearlessness and determination

📖 Cultural Story

Daunt originates from Latin 'domitare' (to tame), entering English via Old French 'danter'. It evolved to signify intimidating or subduing someone.