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
The paddock that no one had dared to demolish.
—
Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Someone else dared someone else to be a legend.
—Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 4 June 2026
Two weeks ago, Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard dared the SEC and Big Ten to do it.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 2 June 2026
In those pages, Fiedler dared to argue that many of America’s boyish and putatively innocent classics are in fact fantasies of interracial, homosexual romance.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
After hearing that Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was joining the Guardians ownership group, one Cleveland radio host dared to dream big.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
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
Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Someone else dared someone else to be a legend.
—Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 4 June 2026
Two weeks ago, Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard dared the SEC and Big Ten to do it.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 2 June 2026
In those pages, Fiedler dared to argue that many of America’s boyish and putatively innocent classics are in fact fantasies of interracial, homosexual romance.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
After hearing that Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was joining the Guardians ownership group, one Cleveland radio host dared to dream big.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dared
Verb
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Even after his death a decade later, his family kept pushing for a new hearing, which was repeatedly challenged by prosecutors in all three levels of court.—
Yumi Asada,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
Incumbent Jared Moskowitz, whose district was splintered by redistricting, is being challenged by progressive candidate Oliver Larkin in the August primary.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The visitor was later confronted by firefighters stationed at the attraction and escorted from the site, the agency reported.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
-
The man heard the disturbance and went outside to help, but the bear also aggressively confronted him, according to police.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Those who declined frequently faced intense criticism from media outlets and activists.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
-
Putin has increasingly faced setbacks on the battlefield as a Ukrainian drone strike campaign disrupts critical logistics routes and public support at home wanes.—
Jane Lytvynenko,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Knicks fans braved the extra security and long lines to fill out MSG before tipoff.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
9 June 2026
-
Lyra braved the waterslide to enter, which had an exciting eight-foot drop into the sea.—
Brianna Randall,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dared. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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