outstare
/aut'steə/
Definition
- Verb:
- To overcome someone or cause them to waver or submit by staring at them for a longer time or with greater intensity.
- To stare at someone until they become uncomfortable, look away, or yield.
Usage
- The verb "outstare" describes a deliberate act of using a prolonged, steady, and often challenging gaze to gain a psychological advantage over another person. It implies a contest of wills expressed through eye contact.
- It is a transitive verb, typically followed by a direct object (the person being stared down).
- It is often used in contexts of confrontation, competition, or establishing dominance.
Examples
- Verb:
- The seasoned negotiator managed to outstare his younger counterpart across the table.
- In the playground challenge, the two boys tried to outstare each other.
- She refused to look away, determined to outstare her critic.
Advanced Usage
- "to stare down": This is a common phrasal verb synonym for "outstare." It emphasizes the act of making someone look away through staring.
- He tried to stare down his opponent during the debate.
- The concept can be used metaphorically to describe overcoming a non-human challenge with unwavering resolve.
- The captain had to outstare the storm, refusing to change course.
Variants and Related Words
- Stare (verb): To look fixedly or vacantly at someone or something with one's eyes wide open.
- Glare (verb): To stare in an angry or fierce way.
- Gaze (verb): To look steadily and intently, especially in admiration, surprise, or thought. (Less confrontational than "outstare").
Synonyms
- Stare down: To cause someone to look away by staring at them.
- Outface: To confront someone boldly or without showing fear.
- Look down: (In this specific context) To overcome by looking.
Phrasal Verbs
- Stare down: (As mentioned above) A direct synonym for "outstare."
- The security guard stared down the suspicious individual until he left the premises.
Related Idioms
- To not bat an eye: To show no surprise, fear, or concern. This is the state one aims for when trying to outstare someone.
- She didn't bat an eye during the entire confrontation, successfully outstaring her accuser.
- A staring contest: A game or challenge where two people try to outstare each other; the first to blink or look away loses.
- Their argument turned into a childish staring contest.
Verb
- overcome or cause to waver or submit by (or as if by) staring
- He simply stared down his opponent
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