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
Moe’s Nuggets ran and dared the rest of the NBA to catch up.
—
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Jackson also advocated for the LGBTQ community when few prominent Democrats dared to do so, becoming the first speaker at a Democratic National Convention to mention gay and lesbian Americans.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2026
The Trial of Seven is about to commence — a clash of mud, blood, and iron before a roaring crowd to determine the fate of the aspiring knight that dared to defend a lowly stage performer from a rampaging Targaryen prince.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
Duvall was married three times before meeting Luciana Pedraza, a young woman who was dared by her friends to approach him on a Buenos Aires street and invite him to a tango gathering.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Gangsters from Stamford to Springfield who dared to challenge Grasso disappeared or turned up dead.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
Women were very fashionable in Cairo and never dared go out in raggedy clothes.
—Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Critics haven’t dared sit through this yet.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2026
There were hints of potential trouble — he was often said to be drunk on camera — but few dared to mess with their meal tickets, so to speak.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Jackson also advocated for the LGBTQ community when few prominent Democrats dared to do so, becoming the first speaker at a Democratic National Convention to mention gay and lesbian Americans.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2026
The Trial of Seven is about to commence — a clash of mud, blood, and iron before a roaring crowd to determine the fate of the aspiring knight that dared to defend a lowly stage performer from a rampaging Targaryen prince.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
Duvall was married three times before meeting Luciana Pedraza, a young woman who was dared by her friends to approach him on a Buenos Aires street and invite him to a tango gathering.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Gangsters from Stamford to Springfield who dared to challenge Grasso disappeared or turned up dead.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
Women were very fashionable in Cairo and never dared go out in raggedy clothes.
—Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Critics haven’t dared sit through this yet.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2026
There were hints of potential trouble — he was often said to be drunk on camera — but few dared to mess with their meal tickets, so to speak.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dared
Verb
-
Alan Morrison, who was the lead attorney in a case that challenged the blanket steel tariffs Trump put in place during his first term, understands why so many businesses have shied away from this kind of face-off.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The laws have been challenged by families representing a variety of religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and clergy, in addition to nonreligious families.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When confronted by police, none of the women were aware of what had happened to them or that the actions could be considered criminal.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Homicide detectives say Elijah was at the center with friends when a group of suspects confronted and then shot at them.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The secretary has faced pressure from Democrats and Republicans after Renee Good and Alex Pretti were shot dead during an immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota.—
Ryan Mancini,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Had they been convicted, the two immigrants would have faced years in federal prison.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For the supporters who have braved the cold since early December, safety on Archer is not an abstract issue.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Investors who braved the risks and stayed disciplined were rewarded in part because they were paid to bear them.—
Steve Booren,
Denver Post,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dared. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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