stare 1 of 2

verb

ˈster How to pronounce stare (audio)
Definition of starenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stare

2 of 2

noun

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

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 stare
Verb
The same priest from earlier baptizes her, and the video ends with Perry sitting upright in the baptismal bath, silently staring ahead. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 People who never normally notice the moon suddenly stop and stare — the surefire way of telling that a celestial event has crossed the threshold and become simply an event. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 26 June 2026
Noun
While Riot gave his mom a sassy stare, RZA kept his face hidden behind a French workbook. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 28 June 2026 In the top of the 7th, Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke hits the first batter, Miguel Montero, in the back, prompting both benches to empty, although only stares are exchanged. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stare
  1. gaze
  2. gawk
Verb
  • An 1812 portrait by Thomas Sully presented him with a long, downturned nose and corners of his mouth to match, leaning on one hand at his desk and gazing over the pages of an open book.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
  • Terrion Arnold walked across the draft stage in Detroit in April 2024, gazed out at a then-record crowd after being selected by the host city’s franchise and delivered a message to Lions fans tuning in to see their newest addition.
    — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of gaze
Verb
  • Instead, the skin-frying Friday saw common flow of people going through, gawking at the large screens and a group of sailors allowing some passing by to do pull-ups from a bar.
    — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • The walk to the stadium is a mile or so along the Alaskan Way, where restaurants like the Crab Pot are opening up, but everyone is gawking at the street spectacle.
    — Simon Hughes, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of gawk

Phrases Containing stare

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stardoms
stare
stared
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Cite this Entry

“Stare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stare. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stare

Nglish: Translation of stare for Spanish Speakers

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