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

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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

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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 Around the novel’s halfway point, one of Harper’s characters dares to change, or try changing, his relationship to the Beast. — Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 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 It’s described that a powerful and surprisingly funny story about an unlikely community that dares to take on one of the largest institutions in the nation. — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 8 July 2026 Interest groups have capitalized on those fears, savaging any politician who dares to touch senior benefits or taxes. — Jessica Riedl, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 More than a century later, the Chicago World's Fair remains one of the most remarkable chapters in this city's history and a powerful reminder of what can happen when a city dares to dream big. — Suzanne Le Mignot, CBS News, 27 June 2026 Then comes Erling Haaland, a high-speed human bulldozer, striking the fear of God into any defender or goalkeeper who dares stand in his way. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 23 June 2026 Her healing skills soon prove invaluable, but her wild, curious nature unsettles the monks as an evil count threatens to destroy anyone who dares protect her. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 19 May 2026 Only a steroid-addled rival, Pavel, dares to question Jim’s position. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dares

Verb

Summary Productivity expert Neal Schore challenges conventional wisdom, arguing that true time loss stems not from poor planning but from internal factors like fear, overthinking, and emotional habits.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
In the three-part docuseries (now streaming on Netflix), Berlinger challenges claims that Manson’s motives behind the killings weren’t to start a race war.

— Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenges

Verb

Before that, though — when Cooper confronts the ruler of the Las Vegas Strip, Robert House (Justin Theroux), in the penthouse of the Lucky 38 casino — what the audience sees is a giant, futuristic set piece.

— Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Throughout the special, Scovel repeatedly invites his viewers to see his act in one way, twists the material back on itself, and then mock-angrily confronts the crowd for their inappropriate reaction.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of confronts

Verb

Hernandez faces two federal counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Geopolitical tensions are bringing critical dependencies and chokepoints into sharper focus, while Europe faces growing security threats on its doorstep.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of faces

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daredevils

dares

daresaid

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“Dares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dares. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of dares

verb

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