1
as in challenged
to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat
I dare you to repeat that to my face! he dared his friend to race to the end of the block
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in confronted
to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage
every day the old fisherman dared the elements to make his meager living
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dared
What’s clear is that the power of that institution is now in the hands of hacks who clock in every single morning determined solely to purge this country of any citizen who ever dared to challenge or dislike this president.
—
Billy Ray, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
But the two Prime Ministers who dared to suggest freezing the highest public pensions were immediately voted out of office by both the Left and Marine Le Pen’s far-right.
—Renaud Foucart, Time, 28 Sep. 2025
None of us dared make even a breath of a sound.
—Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
Instead, leaders should frame failure as proof of courage, the evidence that someone dared to try.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Charlie spoke eloquently about the rise of universities that punish students who dared to have conservative beliefs.
—Ayaan Hirsi Ali, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Her collectedness collapses as Johnson turns the joke into a physical act-out, becoming almost insulted that this earthquake dared to frighten her.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Wu, who worked under Menino at City Hall, has not taken the same tack and has actually alienated herself from a segment of the community that has dared to challenge her, like those opposing her White Stadium rebuilding plan.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
The residents were so close and looked out for each other so well, in fact, that no one even dared to paste up small ads in the neighborhood, for fear they’d be caught by the senior citizens.
—Jack Hargreaves, The Dial, 9 Sep. 2025
Billy Ray, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
But the two Prime Ministers who dared to suggest freezing the highest public pensions were immediately voted out of office by both the Left and Marine Le Pen’s far-right.
—Renaud Foucart, Time, 28 Sep. 2025
None of us dared make even a breath of a sound.
—Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
Instead, leaders should frame failure as proof of courage, the evidence that someone dared to try.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Charlie spoke eloquently about the rise of universities that punish students who dared to have conservative beliefs.
—Ayaan Hirsi Ali, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Her collectedness collapses as Johnson turns the joke into a physical act-out, becoming almost insulted that this earthquake dared to frighten her.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Wu, who worked under Menino at City Hall, has not taken the same tack and has actually alienated herself from a segment of the community that has dared to challenge her, like those opposing her White Stadium rebuilding plan.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
The residents were so close and looked out for each other so well, in fact, that no one even dared to paste up small ads in the neighborhood, for fear they’d be caught by the senior citizens.
—Jack Hargreaves, The Dial, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dared
Verb
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Trump officials have been warned internally that permanent firings during the shutdown could be effectively challenged as violations of appropriations law, according to a senior government official.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
-
What unites all these titles is the fact they’ve been challenged by courts in Colorado or around the country.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His niece, Natalya, recently confronted Women's World Champion Rhea Ripley on Monday Night Raw, suggesting another member of the Hart family may soon be in contention for a major championship.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
But as the night progresses, the curious 13-year-olds are confronted by their own shifting friendship.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Hundreds of other homes, like Harrington's, faced major damages.—
Tamia Fowlkes,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Once again, Weaver faced three batters to start the seventh inning and didn’t get any of them out, allowing a walk to Daulton Varsho before Anthony Santander singled and Andrés Giménez cracked an RBI single.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But thankfully, quick-thinking surfers braved the wild water to save their lives.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
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Among some of the most successful artists to have braved the auditions and been chosen by at least one of the coaches are Morgan Wallen, Melanie Martinez, Koryn Hawthorne, Loren Allred and the late Christina Grimmie.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dared. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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