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
Some of those who dared to express even a whisper of relief at his death were vilified online and arrested.
—
Nabil Salih, Time, 26 May 2026
Only a small handful of games have done that, like Nintendo with Mario Kart World, but due to player pushback, almost no one else has dared to go that high.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
In Game 1, Cleveland dared Josh Hart to beat them from deep.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026
The former mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, was a true disruptor in Mexican politics who dared to square off against cartel leaders.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Miley Cyrus dared to bare while celebrating a major career milestone.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
Imai even dared to turn that two-pitch arsenal into three, taking himself out of a safe haven the Houston Astros have urged him to create.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 19 May 2026
Their mother had dared their father to crash the car.
—Weike Wang, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
In a world of singular cinnamon rolls, this cluster of mini cinnamon rolls dared to be different.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 11 May 2026
Nabil Salih, Time, 26 May 2026
Only a small handful of games have done that, like Nintendo with Mario Kart World, but due to player pushback, almost no one else has dared to go that high.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
In Game 1, Cleveland dared Josh Hart to beat them from deep.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026
The former mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, was a true disruptor in Mexican politics who dared to square off against cartel leaders.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Miley Cyrus dared to bare while celebrating a major career milestone.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
Imai even dared to turn that two-pitch arsenal into three, taking himself out of a safe haven the Houston Astros have urged him to create.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 19 May 2026
Their mother had dared their father to crash the car.
—Weike Wang, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
In a world of singular cinnamon rolls, this cluster of mini cinnamon rolls dared to be different.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dared
Verb
-
Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
-
The approval was then challenged in court by three Maine residents who claimed that thousands of the signatures were invalid because of defects in the collection and certification process, among other procedural violations.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Playing teams operating with considerably lower budgets and less quality meant Palace invariably confronted opponents who sat deep and refused to go toe-to-toe for fear of offering the space in which Palace might flourish in transition.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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And the film that grew out of that reunion allowed not only a kind of political healing, but a personal one, as the band confronted what went unspoken over some 30 years.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
However, Iran’s national team — which has faced heightened scrutiny leading up to this summer’s World Cup — recently learned it will not be based in the United States once the tournament begins.—
Chantz Martin OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2026
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The Serbian president has faced international scrutiny for his hard-line tactics against the demonstrators in the last year, including arbitrary arrests and use of excessive force.—
Jovana Gec,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
Verb
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There were no tickets sold, but 2,285 spectators (partners, family and friends) and 300 social-media influencers braved the 92-degree heat.—
Vic Tafur,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
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Seriously though, had amfAR been held earlier in the week, form-figure wearing fashion models would have braved fierce frigid weather on par with a November Kennebunkport, ME.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dared. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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