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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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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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 structure was wrapped in a shiny black tarp, like the Kaaba reimagined by Christo, and passersby began to stop and stare. — Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026 Dos Santos stared toward the clock in amazement after finishing the 400-meter hurdles Thursday night at the Diamond League meet in Zurich. — ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
Soccer’s biggest superstar, still playing at an otherworldly level at age 39, sat on the grass at MetLife Stadium, his thousand-yard stare saying more than words ever could. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026 Her wide eyes speak their own language of panicked blinks and observant stares. — Judy Berman, Time, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stare
  1. gaze
  2. gawk
Verb
  • An investor gazes at a share price board showing various stocks on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo on August 25, 2015.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The rooftop at ‘Alohilani Resort is part of the property’s fitness hub, and guests can gaze out at Waikiki Beach and feel the Pacific Ocean breeze while practicing their hitting in the batting cages.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of gaze
Verb
  • People in surrounding cars gawked, waved and, in one instance, rolled down their windows to shout something that went unheard, as Bonelli explained that the van had internal cameras that were always on but not always being watched.
    — Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2026
  • On most days the Jewel House in the Tower of London is packed with tourists gawking at the fabled British Crown Jewels.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of gawk

Phrases Containing stare

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stare
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Cite this Entry

“Stare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stare. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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