outstare

/aut'steə/

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Explanation of the Word "Outstare"

Definition:
The verb "outstare" means to stare at someone or something in such a way that the other person cannot look away or feels intimidated. It can also mean to win a staring contest or to make someone feel uncomfortable or submissive by maintaining intense eye contact.

Usage Instructions:

• When to use "outstare": You can use this word when talking about situations where someone is trying to show dominance, confidence, or intimidation through their gaze.
• Form: It is a verb, and you can use it in different tenses (e.g., outstared, outstaring).

Examples:

1. Simple Example:
   "In the staring contest, I managed to outstare my friend, and I won!"

2. Contextual Example:
   "During the argument, she tried to outstare him, hoping he would back down first."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, "outstare" can be used to describe psychological or emotional situations, such as when someone is trying to assert their confidence in a challenging situation.

Word Variants:

• Outstaring (noun): The act of staring intensely at someone.
• Outstared (past tense): The past form of "outstare."

Different Meanings:

While "outstare" primarily refers to the act of staring someone down, it can also be used metaphorically to describe overcoming fears or challenges by facing them directly.

Synonyms:

• Stare down
• Gaze fiercely
• Eye down

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Stare someone down" - This phrase is similar and means to confront someone with a stare to show confidence or dominance.

Academic

Verb

1. overcome or cause to waver or submit by (or as if by) staring
   • He simply stared down his opponent

Synonyms

• stare down
• outface