scare

1 of 2

verb

ˈsker How to pronounce scare (audio)
scared; scaring
Synonyms of scare

transitive verb

: to frighten especially suddenly : alarm

intransitive verb

: to become scared
scarer noun

scare

2 of 2

noun

1
: a sudden fright
2
: a widespread state of alarm : panic
scare adjective

Synonyms of scare

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Verb

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of scare in a Sentence

Verb You scared me. I didn't see you there. Stop that, you're scaring the children. Noun There have been scares about the water supply being contaminated. fired over their heads in order to throw a scare into them
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Fly fishing taught me that forcing the outcome usually scares it away. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The European Union’s top diplomat said Russia’s army is struggling to make progress on the front line and wants to scare off Ukraine’s Western backers with its air campaign. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Noun
Back at home, Bret has another scare when a figure who looks an awful lot like the Trawler cuts the power and lurks ominously in the backyard. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026 The health scare left him temporarily paralyzed on his left side and required him to undergo brain surgery. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scare

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English skerren, from Old Norse skirra, from skjarr shy, timid

First Known Use

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scare was in the 12th century

Phrases Containing scare

Rhymes for scare

See All Rhymes for scare

Browse Nearby Words

scarcity economics
scare
scare away/off
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scare. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

scare

1 of 2 verb
ˈske(ə)r How to pronounce scare (audio)
ˈska(ə)r
scared; scaring
1
: to frighten suddenly : alarm
2
: to become scared

scare

2 of 2 noun
1
: a sudden fright
2
: a widespread state of alarm : panic
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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