Dare vs. Defy

(intransitive) To have enough courage (to do something).

Example: ‘I wouldn't dare argue with my boss.’;

(transitive) To defy or challenge (someone to do something)

Example: ‘I dare you (to) kiss that girl.’;

(transitive) To have enough courage to meet or do something, go somewhere, etc.; to face up to

Example: ‘Will you dare death to reach your goal?’;

(transitive) To terrify; to daunt.

(transitive) To catch (larks) by producing terror through the use of mirrors, scarlet cloth, a hawk, etc., so that they lie still till a net is thrown over them.

(obsolete) To stare stupidly or vacantly; to gaze as though amazed or terrified.

(obsolete) To lie or crouch down in fear.

A challenge to prove courage.

The quality of daring; venturesomeness; boldness.

Defiance; challenge.

To have adequate or sufficient courage for any purpose; to be bold or venturesome; not to be afraid; to venture.

Example: ‘I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more is none.’; ‘Why then did not the ministers use their new law? Bacause they durst not, because they could not.’; ‘Who dared to sully her sweet love with suspicion.’; ‘The tie of party was stronger than the tie of blood, because a partisan was more ready to dare without asking why.’; ‘The pore dar plede (the poor man dare plead).’; ‘You know one dare not discover you.’; ‘The fellow dares not deceive me.’; ‘Here boldly spread thy hands, no venom'd weedDares blister them, no slimy snail dare creep.’;

To have courage for; to attempt courageously; to venture to do or to undertake.

Example: ‘What high concentration of steady feeling makes men dare every thing and do anything?’; ‘To wrest it from barbarism, to dare its solitudes.’;

To challenge; to provoke; to defy.

Example: ‘Time, I dare thee to discoverSuch a youth and such a lover.’;

To lurk; to lie hid.

To terrify; to daunt.

Example: ‘For I have done those follies, those mad mischiefs,Would dare a woman.’;

The quality of daring; venturesomeness; boldness; dash.

Example: ‘It lends a luster . . . A large dare to our great enterprise.’;

Defiance; challenge.

Example: ‘Childish, unworthy daresAre not enought to part our powers.’; ‘Sextus PompeiusHath given the dare to Cæsar.’;

A small fish; the dace.

a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy;

Example: ‘he could never refuse a dare’;

take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission;

Example: ‘How dare you call my lawyer?’;

to be courageous enough to try or do something;

Example: ‘I don't dare call him’; ‘she dares to dress differently from the others’;

challenge;

Example: ‘I dare you!’;

have the courage to do something

Example: ‘she leaned forward as far as she dared’; ‘a story he dare not write down’;

defy or challenge (someone) to do something

Example: ‘she was daring him to disagree’; ‘swap with me, I dare you’;

take the risk of; brave

Example: ‘few dared his wrath’;

a challenge, especially to prove courage

Example: ‘she ran across a main road for a dare’;

(transitive) To challenge (someone) or brave (a hazard or opposition).

Example: ‘to defy an enemy;’; ‘to defy the power of a magistrate;’; ‘to defy the arguments of an opponent;’; ‘to defy public opinion’;

(transitive) To refuse to obey.

Example: ‘If you defy your teacher you may end up in detention.’;

To not conform to or follow a pattern, set of rules or expectations.

To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce.

(obsolete) A challenge.

To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce.

Example: ‘I defy the surety and the bond.’; ‘For thee I have defied my constant mistress.’;

To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion.

Example: ‘I once againDefy thee to the trial of mortal fight.’; ‘I defy the enemies of our constitution to show the contrary.’;

A challenge.

resist or confront with resistance;

Example: ‘The politician defied public opinion’; ‘The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear’; ‘The bridge held’;

elude, especially in a baffling way;

Example: ‘This behavior defies explanation’;

challenge;

Example: ‘I dare you!’;