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
Thirty years later, the group has evolved into the very sort of communal institution and devoted cult that Murdoch dared dream into reality.
—
Elizabeth Nelson, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
No locals had dared help the rancher repair his fence and care for his herd because of the cartel requisites, leaving the rancher with a limited employment pool.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
So there has been a quiet uproar behind the scenes in the automotive world after Peugeot designers dared to meddle with one of the cornerstones of car design.
—New Atlas, 17 Jan. 2026
On a Cavaliers team full of star-level talent, on a night when the 76ers defense essentially dared anybody but Donovan Mitchell to beat it, and on a night when Cleveland missed key starters and rotation players off the bench, Tyson put his cape on and saved his team.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
One lone freshman Senator dared take on McCarthy.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2026
That is a direct threat against the people of this state, who dared to vote against him three times, and who continue to stand up for freedom with courage and empathy and profound grace.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 15 Jan. 2026
That's a direct threat against the people of this state who dared to vote against him three times and who continue to stand up for freedom with courage and empathy and profound grace.
—Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
The town is named for the Greek mythological creature Scylla, a sea monster with multiple heads that was fabled to terrorize sailors (most notably, the hero Odysseus) who dared to travel the water between Italy and Sicily.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Elizabeth Nelson, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
No locals had dared help the rancher repair his fence and care for his herd because of the cartel requisites, leaving the rancher with a limited employment pool.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
So there has been a quiet uproar behind the scenes in the automotive world after Peugeot designers dared to meddle with one of the cornerstones of car design.
—New Atlas, 17 Jan. 2026
On a Cavaliers team full of star-level talent, on a night when the 76ers defense essentially dared anybody but Donovan Mitchell to beat it, and on a night when Cleveland missed key starters and rotation players off the bench, Tyson put his cape on and saved his team.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
One lone freshman Senator dared take on McCarthy.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2026
That is a direct threat against the people of this state, who dared to vote against him three times, and who continue to stand up for freedom with courage and empathy and profound grace.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 15 Jan. 2026
That's a direct threat against the people of this state who dared to vote against him three times and who continue to stand up for freedom with courage and empathy and profound grace.
—Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
The town is named for the Greek mythological creature Scylla, a sea monster with multiple heads that was fabled to terrorize sailors (most notably, the hero Odysseus) who dared to travel the water between Italy and Sicily.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dared
Verb
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On July 30, the comptroller challenged the Panama Ports Company’s contract to operate the ports before the Supreme Court.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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The Fulton County episode and Hanaway’s lawsuit underscore the broader national debate over how elections are conducted, counted, and challenged.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Omar is the second House Democrat to be physically confronted in recent days.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Whenever Karla would be confronted with the horrifying truth of her father’s abuse, the film dipped into ethereal, almost surrealist flashback sequences of the young girl in nature.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Among the big names were Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, both of whom appeared to visit Epstein’s island before the financier faced federal charges in 2019.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
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Under his plea agreement, Pagan faced a potential prison term of 10 to 16 months according to federal sentencing guidelines.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Donna, 73, meanwhile, braved the chilly weather in a long gray puffer jacket, keeping her hands warm with a pair of black gloves.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
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Malek Sayegh and his wife braved the freezing cold after returning from their honeymoon in Costa Rica on Saturday.—
Liz Crawford,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dared. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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