outstare
C1/C2 (Low)Formal/Literary
Definition
Meaning
To stare back at someone until they look away or seem defeated.
To dominate or overcome through an unwavering, confident gaze; to face down a challenge without flinching, often in a figurative sense.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily transitive. The action is intentional and competitive, implying a psychological contest of wills where one party's resolve is broken.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major syntactic differences. Slightly more common in British literary sources.
Connotations
Same core connotation of dominance through gaze.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties; primarily found in literary, journalistic, or rhetorical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP1-subj] outstare [NP2-obj]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “outstare the storm (figurative: face adversity unflinchingly)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; could be used metaphorically: 'The startup aimed to outstare the industry giants.'
Academic
Rare outside literary or historical analysis of confrontations.
Everyday
Very rare; 'stare down' is the common equivalent.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She managed to outstare the intimidating headmaster.
- The boxer tried to outstare his opponent during the weigh-in.
American English
- He outstared the critic who challenged his integrity.
- You can't outstare a seasoned negotiator that easily.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The child tried to outstare his mother, but he looked away first.
- In the meeting, she outstared her colleague, who then dropped his objection.
- The seasoned diplomat could outstare any journalist, maintaining an aura of unshakeable calm.
- His strategy was to outstare the market volatility, refusing to sell his shares in a panic.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STARing contest where you OUT-last the other person: OUT-STARE.
Conceptual Metaphor
VISION IS DOMINANCE (a stronger gaze signifies and exerts psychological control).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить буквально как 'высматривать' или 'разглядывать'. Это 'победить взглядом', 'не отводить взгляд'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it intransitively (*He outstared.*). Requires a direct object.
- Confusing with 'outshine'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'outstare' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word primarily used in literary, descriptive, or rhetorical contexts. 'Stare down' is far more common in everyday speech.
Yes. It can describe facing down abstract challenges like fear, competition, or adversity without backing down.
The element of competition and victory. It's not just staring, but staring until the other person yields or looks away.
No standard noun form exists. You would use phrases like 'a staring contest' or 'act of staring down'.