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
But even at its most tender, Motown never dared to be as unabashedly sultry as the Ottavianos.
—
Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 26 Apr. 2026
Fallon even dared Coughlan to ask Dave Grohl — who is serving as musical guest with his band Foo Fighters — to be her best friend.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
No president since dared challenge Iran.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Prior to that time, a conservative who dared toss the dirty indictment at his or her opponent would face disapproval from all directions, and, of course, condemnation from the legacy media.
—Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2026
The Nuggets will win the offensive boards, and even if Christian Braun struggles from 3 when dared to shoot, Minnesota will have no answer for Nikola Jokic.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
The Rangers laid off his splitter and dared him to throw effective strikes with his fastball.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
For decades, nobody dared to innovate on the soda category.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Churches rang bells, factories blew whistles, and parents hardly dared believe the news.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 26 Apr. 2026
Fallon even dared Coughlan to ask Dave Grohl — who is serving as musical guest with his band Foo Fighters — to be her best friend.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
No president since dared challenge Iran.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Prior to that time, a conservative who dared toss the dirty indictment at his or her opponent would face disapproval from all directions, and, of course, condemnation from the legacy media.
—Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2026
The Nuggets will win the offensive boards, and even if Christian Braun struggles from 3 when dared to shoot, Minnesota will have no answer for Nikola Jokic.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
The Rangers laid off his splitter and dared him to throw effective strikes with his fastball.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
For decades, nobody dared to innovate on the soda category.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Churches rang bells, factories blew whistles, and parents hardly dared believe the news.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dared
Verb
-
But Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace hit three-pointers while Smart was fumbling the ball and James and Hachimura were missing shots, while an Oklahoma City 8-0 run eventually gave them another 13-point lead that was never again challenged.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
No other container shipping firm has challenged the constitutionality of the FMC’s legal proceedings.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The driver initially stopped but drove away before officers arrived, and later denied involvement when confronted by a family member who followed the vehicle.—
Ian Cummings,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
-
Lehman testified at trial the couple was staying at a nearby hotel – which McIntyre paid for – when the other man confronted them.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
We now are faced with missing holidays with them to comply with their demands.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
-
In Chris Robinson’s eight years as Lake Highland Prep’s girls lacrosse head coach the Highlanders have faced American Heritage of Delray Beach every year in the final four, with most of those games coming down to the last minute.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Families bundled up in hoodies and blankets to watch from the beach as surfers in several categories braved the cold water.—
Tony Le Calvez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
While the Guide Mobi braved the rain for a test delivery, the Swake tricycles can’t run in such conditions.—
TIm Stevens,
ArsTechnica,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dared. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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