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
Relevance
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
Members of white government clubs hassled their white neighbors into political lockstep and advertised physical and financial retribution for any Black person who dared to vote.
—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
3 July 2026
Tillman, whose right foot was bloodied before the kick because a Bosnian player stepped on it, still arced a shot over five standing Bosnians, into an unsaveable spot that keeper Nikola Vasilj almost dared Tillman to target.
—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
2 July 2026
That idea would have seemed to them facially crazy if anyone had even dared to articulate such a bizarre thing.
—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2026
Nobody around dared speak or shout.
—
Gonzalo Zegarra,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
This electrifying new production celebrates the women who dared to be bold, courageous, and wholly themselves—and in doing so, became truly iconic.
—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 June 2026
And then a Mexican reporter dared to mention Lionel Messi.
—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
Not quite — the Adventist Development and Relief Agency dared to dream even bigger in 2024 with a 107-by-64-foot colossus assembled in Chile that holds the record to this day.
—
Anusha Praturu,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
No Utah newspaper dared to run the stories, the pair said.
—
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
3 July 2026
Tillman, whose right foot was bloodied before the kick because a Bosnian player stepped on it, still arced a shot over five standing Bosnians, into an unsaveable spot that keeper Nikola Vasilj almost dared Tillman to target.
—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
2 July 2026
That idea would have seemed to them facially crazy if anyone had even dared to articulate such a bizarre thing.
—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2026
Nobody around dared speak or shout.
—
Gonzalo Zegarra,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
This electrifying new production celebrates the women who dared to be bold, courageous, and wholly themselves—and in doing so, became truly iconic.
—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 June 2026
And then a Mexican reporter dared to mention Lionel Messi.
—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
Not quite — the Adventist Development and Relief Agency dared to dream even bigger in 2024 with a 107-by-64-foot colossus assembled in Chile that holds the record to this day.
—
Anusha Praturu,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
No Utah newspaper dared to run the stories, the pair said.
—
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dared
Verb
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News to know now The Supreme Court said Texas can enforce age verification and parental consent requirements for most apps while those rules are being challenged as a free-speech violation.
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Belgium challenged the decision on Monday morning, but FIFA overturned it, clearing the way for Balogun to return.
Verb
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Once inside, she’s confronted by Tommy (James Eddie), who stupidly grabs her to escort her out.
-
In September 2025, Kiara Jenkins was preparing to leave for a trip to Atlanta with friends when Eddie Jenkins showed up at her home dressed all in black with his hood up and confronted her about the trip, prosecutors said.
Verb
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The governor faced mass backlash from activists across the country for his office's statement.
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Despite the widespread support in the Assembly, the bill faced a wide array of opposition that included trade groups for large social media companies, organizations that support young people and advocates for digital privacy.
Verb
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Powell was one of scores of Taylor Swift fans and inquisitive passersby who braved the New York City heat Thursday to satiate their curiosity about what many are calling the wedding of the century and the American equivalent of royal nuptials.
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In the midst of a Wembley Stadium residency, the singer braved the London heatwave in his beloved white Xanax tee over a white long-sleeve, and stayed consistent with his white Vans and outsized Jacques Marie Mage aviators.
Cite this Entry
“Dared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dared. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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