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
Frankie screamed with a mix of delight and frustration that her owner dared to leave her there alone, which was to be expected.
—
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Ingelsby wanted there to be a scene where Grasso almost dared Tom take him down.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2025
But Chopra dared every woman to dream and think optimistically because doing so is a direct rebuke of not just personal troubles but also more systemic ones.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 9 Oct. 2025
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
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
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Ingelsby wanted there to be a scene where Grasso almost dared Tom take him down.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2025
But Chopra dared every woman to dream and think optimistically because doing so is a direct rebuke of not just personal troubles but also more systemic ones.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 9 Oct. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dared
Verb
-
To fall in line is to surrender one’s citizenship to a machine convinced it cannot be challenged.—
John H Bolthouse,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Hence, signature designs were revisited with an opulent or crafty twist; ‘90s references and minimal aesthetics were elevated via luxe materials, and new colors challenged the recent supremacy of burgundy and brown shades.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tole was parked in the hotel's loading dock when Sanchez confronted him, according to court documents.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Maria Greeley, 44, said she was confronted earlier this month by three federal agents outside her workplace, the Beach Bar on Ohio Street, according to The Chicago Tribune.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Since Mahomes became the organization’s starting quarterback in 2018, the Chiefs have faced fourth down with at least three yards to go from inside the 10-yard line some 25 times in the first halves of their games.—
Sam McDowell
October 13,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Despite their magical abilities, Potter and his friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger faced the same problems as regular pre-teens and teens navigating life in boarding school.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As for Lee, now six, he’s fully recovered—and even braved the site of the incident again.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Most of them braved the declining New York City temperatures, sleeping on the street in tents and sleeping bags.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dared. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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