1
2
as in confronts
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 dares
If Putin dares to test NATO again, the consequences will fall on him.
—
David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
This sensual, swoon-worthy drama dares to imagine love thriving where prejudice prevails.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
Hardy plays Tony, the new boyfriend of Tomlinson’s Judy Warren, who dares not confess to her parents how strong her connection to the supernatural world really is.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
When the murder of 100,000 people, many of them women and children, is mentioned or denounced, or when someone dares to use terms such as genocide, ethnocide, ethnic cleansing or similar, most people choose to take issue with the characterization, quibbling over semantics.
—Uriel Kon
september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
And yet, here is a movie that dares to explore its inception.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2025
Neither dares contemplate what horrors their rival might visit upon them with that kind of strength.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 27 Aug. 2025
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has become a weapon aimed at anyone who dares dissent.
—Christopher Bouzy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
But the vote dares Senate Democrats to oppose GOP priorities and risk a partial government shutdown at midnight Friday, as the nation faces economic uncertainty and stocks markets wobble.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
This sensual, swoon-worthy drama dares to imagine love thriving where prejudice prevails.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
Hardy plays Tony, the new boyfriend of Tomlinson’s Judy Warren, who dares not confess to her parents how strong her connection to the supernatural world really is.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
When the murder of 100,000 people, many of them women and children, is mentioned or denounced, or when someone dares to use terms such as genocide, ethnocide, ethnic cleansing or similar, most people choose to take issue with the characterization, quibbling over semantics.
—Uriel Kon
september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
And yet, here is a movie that dares to explore its inception.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2025
Neither dares contemplate what horrors their rival might visit upon them with that kind of strength.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 27 Aug. 2025
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has become a weapon aimed at anyone who dares dissent.
—Christopher Bouzy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
But the vote dares Senate Democrats to oppose GOP priorities and risk a partial government shutdown at midnight Friday, as the nation faces economic uncertainty and stocks markets wobble.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dares
Verb
-
The exhibition challenges traditional art historical narratives and showcases how these women embraced action painting, gestural abstraction, and large-scale experimentation to create dynamic, influential works.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
His second recommendation—renting instead of buying—challenges conventional wisdom about homeownership.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Your heart’s in the right place, but your approach needs work as the moon confronts Mars.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Laura confronts Cherry about Nicholas and swears to tell Daniel everything.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Trump is a man of many hats Immigration has become the dominant political issue in Britain, eclipsing concerns over a faltering economy, as the country faces a record number of asylum claims.—
Vitalii Yalahuzian,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
As Israel mobilizes an additional 60,000 reservists for its Gaza City offensive, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a showdown over mandatory military service for the Ultra-Orthodox community, a debate sharpened by the strain on reservists pulled from their families for months at a time.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dares. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share