1. Literally, to gaze or gawk at someone or something in an intense, prolonged, or steadfast manner. I just stared at the eviction notice in disbelief. Some guy at the bar has been staring at me all night.

2. To face, confront, or be forced to deal with some unavoidable and unpleasant future outcome or development. Usually used in the continuous tense. We're staring at a major deficit in the budget, and you want to decrease taxes? Doctors are warning that we will be staring at a public health crisis if we don't adjust our diets and lifestyles soon.