stare

[stɛə(r)]

stare Definition

  • 1to look at someone or something for a long time without moving your eyes away
  • 2to look fixedly or vacantly at someone or something

Using stare: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "stare" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    She stared at him in disbelief.

  • Example

    He was staring out of the window.

  • Example

    The children were staring at the clown.

  • Example

    I don't like it when people stare at me.

stare Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for stare

Antonyms for stare

Idioms Using stare

  • stare somebody/something in the eye/face

    to look directly at someone or something without fear or shame

    Example

    When you're telling the truth, you can stare anyone in the eye.

  • to look straight ahead without focusing on anything in particular

    Example

    She was staring into space, lost in thought.

  • stare somebody/something down

    to look at someone or something until they look away or become uncomfortable

    Example

    The teacher stared the students down until they stopped talking.

Phrases with stare

  • to look at someone or something until they look away or become uncomfortable

    Example

    The two boxers stared each other down before the fight.

  • to confront or face a difficult or unpleasant situation

    Example

    We have to be prepared to stare these problems in the face and find solutions.

  • stare somebody/something out

    to defeat someone or something by looking at them until they are forced to give up or move away

    Example

    The cat stared the dog out of the garden.

Origins of stare

from Old Norse 'stara', meaning 'to stare'

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Summary: stare in Brief

'Stare' [stɛə(r)] means to look at someone or something for a long time without moving your eyes away. It can be used to express disbelief, discomfort, or curiosity, as in 'She stared at him in disbelief.' 'Stare' also extends into phrases like 'stare down,' which means to look at someone until they look away or become uncomfortable, and idioms like 'stare somebody/something in the eye/face,' which means to look directly at someone or something without fear or shame.

How do native speakers use this expression?