1. Literally, to gaze into something in an intense, prolonged, or steadfast manner. I stared into the mirror looking for new wrinkles. She stared into his eyes, telling him how much she loved him.

2. To face, confront, or be forced to deal with some uncertain, mysterious, and foreboding future outcome or development. Usually used in the continuous tense. The economist warned that we are staring into a recession far worse than the last one. The company is staring into an abyss of financial ruin, and you want to hand out year-end bonuses?