stare down

verb

stared down; staring down; stares down

transitive verb

: to cause to waver or submit by or as if by staring

Examples of stare down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Trump is currently staring down 91 felony charges across four criminal cases, including 44 federal charges and 47 state charges. Tori Otten, The New Republic, 1 Nov. 2023 The legal uncertainty has proven especially beneficial to lenders staring down the prospect of federal enforcement. Tony Romm, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2023 These are especially notable because of the way both programs have stared down similar sexism — the USWNT in a contentious and public battle for equal pay, the NWSL in a painful and public reckoning over abusive coaches and owners. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023 Nearly everyone staring down the wicked problem of living with 21st-century fire offers a similar list of interventions. David Wallace-Wells, New York Times, 24 Oct. 2023 These countries took steps such as developing nuclear weapons, funding terrorists, and staring down the United States in tense conflicts. Joshua Shifrinson, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2023 Visitors can climb toward the top of the 140-foot gallery and, from an elevated platform, stare down at the massive missiles. Leo Deluca, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Sep. 2023 Momentum swung back and forth throughout the game, but as the fourth quarter began, the Ducks were staring down a 27-18 deficit. oregonlive, 9 Sep. 2023 Lawmakers are staring down a Sept. 30 deadline to pass a federal budget. Marina Pitofsky, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stare down.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stare down was in 1798

Dictionary Entries Near stare down

Cite this Entry

“Stare down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stare%20down. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

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