Definition

Verb (transitive) To overcome, intimidate, or cause someone to waver or submit by looking at them with a fixed, intense, and often aggressive gaze. It implies a contest of wills or dominance conveyed through an unwavering stare.

Usage

The verb "stare down" is used to describe the act of using a prolonged, forceful stare to assert dominance, challenge, or make another person look away or back down. It often describes a non-verbal confrontation.

Examples

• The security guard stared down the suspicious individual until he left the premises.
• In the tense meeting, she stared down her critic without saying a word.
• The wolf attempted to stare down its rival to establish dominance without a fight.

Advanced Usage

• To stare someone/something down: This is the standard phrasal verb construction.
  • The experienced debater knew how to stare down an aggressive interviewer.
• Can be used in passive constructions, though less common.
  • The protestor refused to be stared down by the authorities.

Variants and Related Words

• Stare-down (noun): A confrontation or contest in which each party tries to outstare the other.
  • The negotiation began with a tense stare-down across the table.

Synonyms

• Outface: To confront boldly or defiantly.
• Outstare: To stare back at someone until they look away.
• Glare down: To stare angrily and fixedly at someone.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Idioms

• Stare out: Similar to "stare down," often used in British English.
  • He tried to stare her out, but she didn't blink.

Verb

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