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Glite Dictionary
🤔 Expressing likelihood 🤨 Expressing doubt
I dare say

I dare say

2 7.7
Said when you doubt what someone says, often ironically
  • idiom
  • UK
: no me lo creo
  • You'd do the same again, I dare say.
  • I dare say there

Examples

  • I dare say that Netanyahu's response is gamesmanship exercised in the belief that there will be a ceasefire.

    Blog text (17)

  • Well, I dare say, this is a surprising turn of events.

  • Nor the last, I dare say.

    Pride & Prejudice (2005)

  • Oh, yes, I dare say.

    Oliver Twist (1948)

  • Well, I dare say that we have all had at least one event like this happen in our lives.

    Blog text (29)

  • Though I dare say I'm better off not understanding.

    The Alamo (1960)

  • I dare say the divorce will be more fun than the wedding.

    Chéri (2009)

  • I dare say he speaks the truth.

    Mr. Church (2016)

  • No, I dare say you won't.

    Pride & Prejudice (2005)

  • I dare say, but if I'm not to dance with you, then I'm getting out of this operetta and going home.

    Anna Karenina (2012)

Synonyms

yeah
vsI dare say
  • Informal
557 7.9

A reply that shows doubt or disbelief and often sounds sarcastic

is less directly sarcastic and more politely skeptical
oh really
vsI dare say
182 7.4

Shows surprise or mild doubt about what someone just said

is more often ironic and slightly more skeptical than casual interest
what the heck
vsI dare say
  • Informal
147 8.9

A short cry to show surprise, confusion, disbelief, or casual acceptance

is more ironic and understated rather than bluntly informal
what the what
vsI dare say
  • Informal
112 9.9

A short phrase people say to show surprise or confusion

is steadier and more ironic rather than purely playful surprise
like hell
vsI dare say
  • NSFW
24 9.8

Said to show that you do not believe or accept something

is milder and more politely skeptical rather than forceful denial
indeed
vsI dare say
  • Informal
4 1.0

To show surprise or doubt, often with irony

is similarly ironic but more politely tentative in tone
I'll be darned
vsI dare say
  • Informal
4 9.9

A way to say you are surprised or do not believe something

is gentler and more likely to sound ironic than plain surprise
forsooth
vsI dare say
  • Archaic
3 9.9

To show surprise or that you do not believe something, often in an old joking way

is modern and often politely skeptical rather than playful old style
bullcrap
vsI dare say
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A shout that shows you do not believe something

is more restrained and expresses doubt rather than outright rejection
the hell you say
vsI dare say
  • Informal
1 9.9

A strong spoken reaction showing surprise and disbelief

is milder, implying doubt without strong shock
foh
vsI dare say
  • Slang
1 9.9

A short sound to show disbelief or dislike

is typically more polite and expresses mild skepticism not contempt

Surface Forms

I dare say main

Morphology

I + dare + say

The expression combines 'dare' (to venture) and 'say' (to state), so its literal logic — 'I venture to say' — maps onto the polite, tentative meaning 'I think/probably'. However, this is a conventionalized hedge whose nuance and formulaic use may not be fully predictable to a B1 learner who only knows basic senses of the constituents, so partial prior exposure is helpful.

Etymology

I dare say comes from older English where dare meant 'to risk' saying something. Imagine someone stepping forward to challenge a claim and saying I dare say with a smile, which shows a small doubt or irony, so it often means 'that's unlikely'.