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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dared
Instead, officials engaged in a vicious crusade to repress whoever dared challenge the outcome.
—
Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
As much as his ability to land the inconceivable, Malinin’s great strength has always been the imagination and courage to take his skating to places few even considered, let alone dared to reach for.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
The kid who dared to dream beyond the city limits and outside of the box.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Maduro complemented the repressive apparatus by purging institutions of anyone who dared dissent.
—Dallas Morning News, 3 Jan. 2026
In an era where many offenses were rudimentary – unbothered by having multiple players standing next to one another and content to have a single player dominate the ball – the triangle dared to create a more egalitarian version of the sport.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2025
The story of astronomy begins not with satellites or space probes, but with ancient thinkers who dared to look up and wonder.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 25 Dec. 2025
More than a hundred years before the French Revolution, his riotous, scathing satires dared to speak truth to some of the most absolute power in the world.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
No one dared ask if Cheney had severed contacts with his former business colleagues.
—Nina Khrushcheva, Time, 8 Nov. 2025
Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
As much as his ability to land the inconceivable, Malinin’s great strength has always been the imagination and courage to take his skating to places few even considered, let alone dared to reach for.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
The kid who dared to dream beyond the city limits and outside of the box.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Maduro complemented the repressive apparatus by purging institutions of anyone who dared dissent.
—Dallas Morning News, 3 Jan. 2026
In an era where many offenses were rudimentary – unbothered by having multiple players standing next to one another and content to have a single player dominate the ball – the triangle dared to create a more egalitarian version of the sport.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2025
The story of astronomy begins not with satellites or space probes, but with ancient thinkers who dared to look up and wonder.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 25 Dec. 2025
More than a hundred years before the French Revolution, his riotous, scathing satires dared to speak truth to some of the most absolute power in the world.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
No one dared ask if Cheney had severed contacts with his former business colleagues.
—Nina Khrushcheva, Time, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dared
Verb
-
The Avs challenged for offsides, and the goal was taken off the board.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The 90-minute delay challenged everyone in the arena to find ways to kill time.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bethell has already faced more balls in this single innings than Ben Duckett has confronted through the entire series, and eclipsed the total runs scored by Ollie Pope, the man preferred ahead of him until Melbourne, across three matches in this knock alone.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The employee confronted the two suspects, and a struggle ensued, leading to the shooting, Olson said.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
However, even after the peace proposal, Israeli sports teams have faced opposition and exclusion.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The agency has also faced criticism for aggressive tactics used by ICE agents in executing the president’s immigration policy.—
Andy Rose 19 hr ago,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The moment played out on Season 3 of The Traitors, when Sandoval and the other contestants braved a creepy cabin full of singing dolls and had to memorize and perform backwards nursery rhymes.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Heidi Klum braved the inclement weather in New York to ring in Halloween.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dared. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share