dismay, appall, horrify, daunt mean to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion.
dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something.
dismayed at the size of the job
appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks.
I am appalled by your behavior
horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.
was horrified by such wanton cruelty
daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage.
a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber
Example Sentences
the raging inferno didn't daunt the firefighters for a moment
Recent Examples on the WebThe recent crypto climate doesn’t daunt this ex-Coinbase intern’s passion for crypto.Fortune, 29 June 2022 The Senator is taking on a task that would daunt most members of Congress, pushing forward a set of Coast Guard-boosting proposals that have, for one reason or another, failed to gain traction in Washington over the past several years. Craig Hooper, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2021 And though that prospect would daunt many other New Yorkers, shoes have become an indelible part of the show’s mythology. Sarah Spellings, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2021 Swimming can also genuinely daunt Black men and women whose hair might respond poorly to chlorinated water. Samanth Subramanian, Quartz, 1 July 2021 But its demands can also cow and daunt and unnerve them.New York Times, 23 May 2021 Neither the science nor statistics of the new vaccine daunt them.New York Times, 30 Apr. 2021 There are no right or wrong answers, but the choices can daunt us. Kris Putnam-walkerly, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2021 The Wings' 2019-20 struggles to score and defend do not daunt Greiss. Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 11 Oct. 2020 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French danter, daunter, from Latin domitare to tame, frequentative of domare — more at tame