sfidare

to challenge

verb sfee-DAH-reh Rare

Origin: From Latin ex- + fidare (to trust, from fides, faith); literally 'to call out of trust'.

Also means

to dare

Usage Note

Sfidare takes avere as its auxiliary. It can mean to challenge someone to a contest (sfidare a duello, to challenge to a duel) or to dare/defy an abstract force (sfidare il pericolo, to defy danger). The derived noun is sfida (challenge, defiance). Do not confuse with provocare, which has a more aggressive or antagonistic nuance.

Examples

"Ha sfidato tutti e ha vinto la gara."

Natural Translation

He challenged everyone and won the race.

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