daunt
gb/dˈɔnt/ us/dˈɔnt/
C1
English
elbátortalanít, megfélemlít, megtör
VERB
C1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] daunts [someone] (often: [someone] be daunted by [something])
The scale of the project daunted the new team at first.
A projekt nagysága eleinte elbátortalanította az új csapatot.
She wasn’t daunted by the criticism and kept applying for jobs.
A kritikák nem bátortalanították el, és továbbra is jelentkezett állásokra.
Don’t let the technical terms daunt you—the basics are straightforward.
Learner examples
The test did not daunt him.
A teszt nem bátortalanította el.
I was daunted by the amount of homework.
Elbátortalanított a házi feladat mennyisége.
Common mistake:
Often used with a person as the object (daunt someone). The passive form is very common: be daunted by something.
Meaning
make someone feel less confident
Collocations
be daunted by
|daunted by the prospect of
|not be daunted
|slightly daunted
|feel daunted
|daunt even the most experienced
|daunting task
|daunting challenge
|daunting prospect
|daunting amount of work
Synonyms
discourage (Focuses on reducing willingness or confidence.)
|
intimidate (Suggests making someone feel afraid or overawed.)
|
deter (Emphasizes stopping someone from acting.)
Antonyms
encourage (Gives confidence or support to act.)
|
embolden (Makes someone feel braver and more ready to act.)
Themes
emotions
|motivation
|work_and_study
Definition
To make someone feel worried or not brave enough to do something.
To make someone feel intimidated, discouraged, or less willing to do something.
VERB
C2
LITERARY
2
megfélemlít
C1
megtör
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] daunts [someone] (with fear or force)
The threats were meant to daunt the witnesses into staying quiet.
A fenyegetések arra szolgáltak, hogy megfélemlítsék a tanúkat, és hallgatásra bírják őket.
Years of setbacks did not daunt his spirit.
Évek kudarcai sem törték meg a lelkét.
They tried to daunt the protesters with heavy policing.
Learner examples
The threats did not daunt her.
A fenyegetések nem félemlítették meg.
Common mistake:
This sense is less common in everyday English; it can sound dramatic or literary.
Meaning
subdue or cow someone
Collocations
daunt the enemy
|daunt their spirit
|daunt a rival
|daunt opposition
|daunt someone into silence
Synonyms
cow (Very close; strongly suggests frightening into submission.)
|
subdue (Broader; can involve force as well as fear.)
Antonyms
defy (Refuses to submit despite pressure or fear.)
|
inspire (Raises courage or determination rather than suppressing it.)
Themes
conflict
|power
|emotions
Definition
To make someone submit by making them afraid.
To subdue someone or make them submit by frightening or overwhelming them.
Grammar
Dictionary form
daunt
IPA
GB/dˈɔnt/
US/dˈɔnt/
Syllables & stress
daunt (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (daunt)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: daunt
- 3rd Person Singular: daunts
- Present Participle: daunting
- Past: daunted
Word family
Expressions
nothing daunted
1/nˈʌθɪŋ dˈɔntɪd/
fixed phrase
literary
not discouraged at all
Still confident and continuing, even after a problem.
Examples
- Nothing daunted, she tried again the next day with a better plan.
- He was rejected twice but, nothing daunted, applied to three more programs.
- Nothing daunted by the rain, they carried on with the hike.
Learner examples
- Nothing daunted, he tried again.