DARE Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

dare

verb

ˈder

Definition of dare

as in to challenge

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 to confront

to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage every day the old fisherman dared the elements to make his meager living

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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 dare Black cherry and a deep dark inky brown look black at first glance, but reveal violet or chocolate tones for those who dare to get close enough. — Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Oct. 2026 Taken together, the rules that made up the Way offered a code of conduct for daring greatly, assessing yourself honestly and avoiding idiotic risk. — Daniel Duane, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026 That made The Social Network daring in its nuanced depiction of the enterprise, and the film consequently raised profound questions for audiences to grapple with. — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 Phlegmatic, melancholic, yet prone to occasional acts of daring, a flat line interrupted by the sudden jump. — Literary Hub, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dare

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dare

Verb

Peltola, who represented Alaska's at-large district from 2022 to 2025, is challenging Sullivan, a two-term incumbent.

— Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Uncertainty and change have always been challenging to handle, for some people more than others, said Michel Dugas, a psychology professor at the University of Québec in Outaouais.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenge

Verb

Netanyahu, two weeks out from close elections that could end his time in power, is again confronted with an issue that has drawn growing international condemnation.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
The question confronting Israel and its international partners is not simply whether money should flow into Gaza, but also who controls it—and whether the next arrangement will avoid the failures of the last.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of confront

Verb

The co-pilot accused of carrying out the attack is under arrest and facing prosecution by UAE authorities.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Many depend on critical minerals such as copper and rare earth elements that face growing supply chain pressures.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of face

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dappling

dare

dared

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“Dare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dare. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dare

verb

Example Sentences

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