Brave vs. Dare — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 26, 2024
Brave involves displaying courage and facing challenges without fear, while dare relates to intentionally taking risks or challenging others to take risks.
Difference Between Brave and Dare
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Being brave refers to the quality of showing courage and dealing with danger, fear, or difficult situations with fortitude. In contrast, to dare means to challenge someone to do something that requires courage or to take a bold risk oneself.
Bravery is a character trait that implies resilience and the ability to confront pain or adversity head-on. Daring, however, often involves a calculated risk-taking behavior and can be seen as both a verb (to dare someone) and a noun (a dare).
While bravery is admired as a moral virtue, daring can sometimes be perceived as reckless or provocative, depending on the context.
Brave actions are generally motivated by righteousness or the necessity to face unavoidable challenges, whereas dares might be motivated by thrill-seeking, proving oneself, or testing limits.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Showing courage; not deterred by danger
Challenge someone to do something risky
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Connotation
Positive, admired virtue
Often seen as provocative or risky
Usage in Language
Adjective, noun
Verb, noun
Typical Context
Facing adversity or danger
Thrill-seeking, testing limits
Motivation
Moral righteousness, necessity
Seeking excitement, proving courage
Compare with Definitions
Brave
Not deterred by danger or pain.
She was brave to speak out against injustice.
Dare
As a noun, a challenge that involves risk-taking.
Accepting that dare proved his courage.
Brave
An adjective describing someone with courage.
The brave soldier received a medal.
Dare
Taking a risk or acting boldly.
He dared to answer the difficult question.
Brave
As a noun, a person who exhibits bravery.
The braves of the village guarded the gates.
Dare
A verb that invites someone to perform a risky task.
Do you dare to go first?
Brave
Enduring adverse conditions with fortitude.
He remained brave despite his long illness.
Dare
Used to describe a provocation or challenge.
The game involved several exciting dares.
Brave
Possessing or displaying courage.
Dare
To challenge someone to do something requiring courage.
I dare you to jump into the cold lake.
Brave
Making a fine display; impressive or showy
“a coat of brave red lipstick on a mouth so wrinkled that it didn't even have a clear outline” (Anne Tyler).
Dare
Have the courage to do something
She leaned forward as far as she dared
A story he dare not write down
Brave
Excellent; great
“The Romans were like brothers / In the brave days of old” (Thomas Macaulay).
Dare
Defy or challenge (someone) to do something
She was daring him to disagree
Swap with me, I dare you
Brave
(used with a pl. verb) People who exhibit bravery or courage considered as a group
“O'er the land of the free / And the home of the brave” (Francis Scott Key).
Dare
Take the risk of; brave
Few dared his wrath
Brave
(Offensive) A Native American warrior.
Dare
A challenge, especially to prove courage
She ran across a main road for a dare
Brave
(Archaic) A bully.
Dare
To have the courage required for
The gymnast dared a breathtakingly difficult move.
Brave
To endure or face courageously
“He remained in his tent on inclement mornings while others in the party braved the rain ... looking for birds” (Bert O. States). “Together they would brave Satan and all his legions” (Emily Brontë).
Dare
To challenge (someone) to do something requiring boldness
They dared me to dive off the high board.
Brave
(Obsolete) To make showy or splendid.
Dare
To confront boldly; brave
Dared the dizzying heights of the mountain.
Brave
To make a courageous show or put up a stalwart front.
Dare
To be courageous or bold enough to do or try something
Go ahead and dive if you dare.
Brave
Strong in the face of fear; courageous.
Dare
To be courageous or bold enough to
I dare not say. How dare she go?.
Brave
(obsolete) Having any sort of superiority or excellence.
Dare
An act of daring; a challenge.
Brave
Making a fine show or display.
Dare
(intransitive) To have enough courage (to do something).
I wouldn't dare (to) argue with my boss.
Brave
Foolish or unwise.
Dare
(transitive) To defy or challenge (someone to do something)
I dare you to kiss that girl.
Brave
(dated) A Native American warrior.
Dare
(transitive) To have enough courage to meet or do something, go somewhere, etc.; to face up to
Will you dare death to reach your goal?
Brave
(obsolete) A man daring beyond discretion; a bully.
Dare
(transitive) To terrify; to daunt.
Brave
(obsolete) A challenge; a defiance; bravado.
Dare
(transitive) To catch (larks) by producing terror through the use of mirrors, scarlet cloth, a hawk, etc., so that they lie still till a net is thrown over them.
Brave
(transitive) To encounter with courage and fortitude, to defy, to provoke.
After braving tricks on the high-dive, he braved a jump off the first diving platform.
Dare
(obsolete) To stare stupidly or vacantly; to gaze as though amazed or terrified.
Brave
To adorn; to make fine or showy.
Dare
(obsolete) To lie or crouch down in fear.
Brave
Bold; courageous; daring; intrepid; - opposed to cowardly; as, a brave man; a brave act.
Dare
A challenge to prove courage.
Brave
Having any sort of superiority or excellence; - especially such as in conspicuous.
Iron is a brave commodity where wood aboundeth.
It being a brave day, I walked to Whitehall.
Dare
The quality of daring; venturesomeness; boldness.
Brave
Making a fine show or display.
Wear my dagger with the braver grace.
For I have gold, and therefore will be brave.In silks I'll rattle it of every color.
Frog and lizard in holiday coatsAnd turtle brave in his golden spots.
Dare
Defiance; challenge.
Brave
A brave person; one who is daring.
The star-spangled banner, O,long may it waveO'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Dare
(games) In the game truth or dare, the choice to perform a dare set by the other players.
When asked truth or dare, she picked dare.
Brave
Specifically, an Indian warrior.
Dare
To have adequate or sufficient courage for any purpose; to be bold or venturesome; not to be afraid; to venture.
I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more is none.
Why then did not the ministers use their new law? Bacause they durst not, because they could not.
Who dared to sully her sweet love with suspicion.
The tie of party was stronger than the tie of blood, because a partisan was more ready to dare without asking why.
The pore dar plede (the poor man dare plead).
You know one dare not discover you.
The fellow dares not deceive me.
Here boldly spread thy hands, no venom'd weedDares blister them, no slimy snail dare creep.
Brave
A man daring beyond discretion; a bully.
Hot braves like thee may fight.
Dare
To have courage for; to attempt courageously; to venture to do or to undertake.
What high concentration of steady feeling makes men dare every thing and do anything?
To wrest it from barbarism, to dare its solitudes.
Brave
A challenge; a defiance; bravado.
Demetrius, thou dost overween in all;And so in this, to bear me down with braves.
Dare
To challenge; to provoke; to defy.
Time, I dare thee to discoverSuch a youth and such a lover.
Brave
To encounter with courage and fortitude; to set at defiance; to defy; to dare.
These I can brave, but those I can not bear.
Dare
To lurk; to lie hid.
Brave
To adorn; to make fine or showy.
Thou [a tailor whom Grunio was browbeating] hast braved meny men; brave not me; I'll neither be faced or braved.
Dare
To terrify; to daunt.
For I have done those follies, those mad mischiefs,Would dare a woman.
Brave
A North American Indian warrior
Dare
The quality of daring; venturesomeness; boldness; dash.
It lends a luster . . . A large dare to our great enterprise.
Brave
People who are brave;
The home of the free and the brave
Dare
A small fish; the dace.
Brave
Face or endure with courage;
She braved the elements
Dare
A challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy;
He could never refuse a dare
Brave
Possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching;
Familiarity with danger makes a brave man braver but less daring
A frank courageous heart...triumphed over pain
Set a courageous example by leading them safely into and out of enemy-held territory
Dare
Take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission;
How dare you call my lawyer?
Brave
Invulnerable to fear or intimidation;
Audacious explorers
Fearless reporters and photographers
Intrepid pioneers
Dare
To be courageous enough to try or do something;
I don't dare call him
She dares to dress differently from the others
Brave
Brightly colored and showy;
Girls decked out in brave new dresses
Brave banners flying
`braw' is a Scottish word
A dress a bit too gay for her years
Birds with gay plumage
Dare
Challenge;
I dare you!
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to be brave?
To exhibit courage and face challenges boldly.
How is bravery shown in everyday life?
Through actions like standing up for others or facing personal fears.
Can daring be considered a negative trait?
It can be, if the risks taken are reckless or harmful.
How does daring differ from being brave?
Daring involves risk-taking and challenging others, while being brave is about personal courage.
What should one consider before taking a dare?
The potential risks and outcomes of the action.
Is being brave always good?
Generally, yes, as it is linked to facing necessary challenges.
Can anyone learn to be brave or dare?
Yes, through experiences and consciously facing fears or challenges.
What is a famous example of a dare in history?
Alexander the Great cutting the Gordian Knot.
Are bravery and daring mutually exclusive?
No, often bravery involves daring actions, and daring can require bravery.
What types of situations call for daring?
Situations where risks are taken for thrill or challenge, such as sports or adventures.
Why is bravery considered a virtue?
Because it involves moral strength and the ability to face difficult situations.
How do children exhibit bravery?
By facing new challenges like trying new activities or standing up to bullies.
How do cultural perceptions of bravery and daring differ?
Cultural values influence what is considered brave or too risky.
Can a dare be harmless?
Yes, if it is done in good spirit and does not involve significant risks.
Why might someone choose not to accept a dare?
Due to personal safety concerns or moral values.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
