dare
verb (used without object)
to have the necessary courage or boldness for something; be bold enough.
had dared
-
past perfectof dare.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His astonishing erudition encouraged him to tread where few playwrights before him had dared to go.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 30, 2025
Earlier in the afternoon, one speaker had dared to envision college kids spurning the College Democrats and College Republicans, and joining the “College Abundists” instead.
From Slate ● Jun. 9, 2025
Mr. McCarthy of California had dared Mr. Gaetz to “bring it on.”
From Washington Times ● Oct. 5, 2023
“We were laughing so hard because he had dared to turn their rhetoric back on them,” Dolan said.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 27, 2023
Who had dared to invade his special place?
From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer
