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
Trump’s Cabinet meetings might as well be filmed in North Korea what with the obsequious pandering before one of them dares speak.
—
Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
Her legacy indeed lives on in Definitely Thriving, a book which dares to treat the small canvas of an ordinary woman’s experience with seriousness and respect, all the while maintaining that necessary sense of humor which makes the whole thing—life itself—mostly bearable.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
For 67 years, the Cuban dictatorship has crushed dissent through tyranny, repression, persecution, and prison for anyone who dares to think differently or speak the word freedom.
—- Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
The pain and exhaustion and grief are so real and oppressive, the camera never dares set a foot outside.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
And each dares to honor the humanity in characters often reduced to predators and prey by one faction, shrill social justice warriors and brave free thinkers by another.
—Judy Berman, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
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
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
Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
Her legacy indeed lives on in Definitely Thriving, a book which dares to treat the small canvas of an ordinary woman’s experience with seriousness and respect, all the while maintaining that necessary sense of humor which makes the whole thing—life itself—mostly bearable.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
For 67 years, the Cuban dictatorship has crushed dissent through tyranny, repression, persecution, and prison for anyone who dares to think differently or speak the word freedom.
—- Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
The pain and exhaustion and grief are so real and oppressive, the camera never dares set a foot outside.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
And each dares to honor the humanity in characters often reduced to predators and prey by one faction, shrill social justice warriors and brave free thinkers by another.
—Judy Berman, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dares
Verb
-
The funding is ongoing while Colorado challenges the policy in court, but if reductions are made permanent, Mahanan predicts a wave of day care closures, almost overnight.—
Shay Castle,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The game challenges players to guess the hourly burrito combination for a chance to unlock prizes.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Watch for being overly reactive as the Gemini moon confronts Mars.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
-
In the memoir, Donovan confronts the origins of his mental health issues, talks about growing up poor in a 900-square-foot home managed heroically by his single mother, Donna, and how even his greatest successes on the field left him unfulfilled.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Social Security faces a shortfall as soon as 2032.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
For the second time in less than a week, Luka Doncic faces a one-game suspension because of technical foul accumulation.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dares. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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