DARES Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

dares

verb

present tense third-person singular of dare

as in challenges

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

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 After viciously hitting step-back threes, trash talking anyone who dares tempt him and racking up two NBA scoring titles, Doncic just likes to stay home, maybe get lunch or play cards. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 At one point, Tillis dares Douthat to jump across the tracks of Congress’s private subway system. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 Located less than an hour away from the Palma de Mallorca airport, the southern town of Santanyí is the latest destination in Mallorca that dares to renew its luxury hotel offer. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026 Che suspects the white writers pitched this to him, and dares him to name one character without looking at the cue cards. — Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2026 Even an ordinary staircase practically dares you to stare at it long enough to convince yourself something moved. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 There is real hope of a postseason push, with the disgusting state of the American League leaving the door open for any team that dares to play well. — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 There is a collective sagging in the air, but nobody dares complain. — Literary Hub, 17 Aug. 2026 It was launched into a highly radioactive patch of low-Earth orbit where almost nothing else dares to fly. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dares

Verb

In her work with CSS and the study, Uhls challenges her gut instincts on young people’s take on entertainment.

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026
Along the way, Eric meets Ivy (Lee), a sharp-witted punk rocker who challenges his perspective.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenges

Browse Nearby Words

daredevils

dares

daresaid

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dares. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of dares

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes