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
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Recent Examples of dares
Is anything more engaging than a good murder mystery—one that dares you to guess who did it, and why?
—
Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
And anyone who dares to peek behind the curtain—journalists, dissident professors, activists, even, bizarrely, the Iranian president himself—becomes a threat to the regime.
—Azadeh Moaveni, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash As the Flynn family fractures under the strain of a failing open marriage and three daughters spiraling into dangerous secrets, their small coastal town is quietly dominated by a powerful shipping magnate no one dares to question.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026
The Sith, led by Darth Sidious (aka Emperor Palpatine) and Darth Vader, sit at the top of the food chain, but Maul still dares to build a criminal empire in the shadows.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Two generational voices of reggaeton teamed up and left us with a chorus that dares to overshadow everything in a packed stadium.
—Yifan Wu, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
None of us dares skip the reading, and nobody bails on the meeting.
—Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2026
Any film that dares to cover the life of a spiritual leader will likely run right into a high level of skepticism, scrutiny, derision and, yes, even some old-fashioned acceptance.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
There's such a touching moment that Zhao essentially dares you not to cry.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
And anyone who dares to peek behind the curtain—journalists, dissident professors, activists, even, bizarrely, the Iranian president himself—becomes a threat to the regime.
—Azadeh Moaveni, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash As the Flynn family fractures under the strain of a failing open marriage and three daughters spiraling into dangerous secrets, their small coastal town is quietly dominated by a powerful shipping magnate no one dares to question.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026
The Sith, led by Darth Sidious (aka Emperor Palpatine) and Darth Vader, sit at the top of the food chain, but Maul still dares to build a criminal empire in the shadows.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Two generational voices of reggaeton teamed up and left us with a chorus that dares to overshadow everything in a packed stadium.
—Yifan Wu, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
None of us dares skip the reading, and nobody bails on the meeting.
—Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2026
Any film that dares to cover the life of a spiritual leader will likely run right into a high level of skepticism, scrutiny, derision and, yes, even some old-fashioned acceptance.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
There's such a touching moment that Zhao essentially dares you not to cry.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dares
Verb
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Pippa challenges Wrigley on why the guys never hold Stephen accountable.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
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In the video, one Palestinian insults Levi and another challenges him to shoot.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Future industrial sustainability As ByteDance prepares for a broader international rollout, the industry confronts a fundamental sustainability challenge.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
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But the detective on his tail (Motsi Tekateka) never confronts him with a shred of evidence.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Under the leadership of coach Javier Mascherano, Miami faces a new season with a mix of experience and youth.—
Jad El Reda
Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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Fifty-year-old Daniel Taylor, a professor of marketing and supply chain management at the university’s Rawls College of Business, faces a charge of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, according to the statement.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dares. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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