as in to gaze
to look long and hard in wonder or surprise
her friends stared in disbelief upon seeing her walking arm in arm with her ex-husband
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in gaze
a fixed intent look
caught the child's wide-eyed stare on film
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stare
Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Relying on complimentary onboard entertainment alone can leave you stuck staring at a blank screen—but the $12 Flight Flap turns your phone into a dependable entertainment hub.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2026
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Rarely have an actor's eyes been put to such good use, as Murphy's thousand-yard stare communicates guilt, regret, and anxious anticipation of how his life's work will impact the world for generations to come.
—Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stare
Verb
In this race, a team of esports athletes stare forward at a screen instead of the starting line.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Relying on complimentary onboard entertainment alone can leave you stuck staring at a blank screen—but the $12 Flight Flap turns your phone into a dependable entertainment hub.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2026
Noun
To play for Hurley is to understand that taking a play off is not acceptable, that bending over and tugging at your short hems – a sure sign, in Hurley’s estimation, of weakness – will earn you either a death stare or a run up the steps.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Rarely have an actor's eyes been put to such good use, as Murphy's thousand-yard stare communicates guilt, regret, and anxious anticipation of how his life's work will impact the world for generations to come.
—Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stare
Verb
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Rubin-Vega gazed toward the under-stairs entrance to her former apartment.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Crevette answers all your seafood desires, while other options include crepes and waffles, beers and glasses of wine, ideally consumed gazing over the sunset.—
Maddy Odom,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Millions attended these exhibits and then went home to gawk at the vehicles at their local store.—
Jackie Charniga,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Onlookers gawked from the balconies of nearby condo towers.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stare. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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