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

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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
Wild Neighbor also installs surveillance along with lights and sounds to scare the bears away. — Hunter Sowards, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Such actions are scaring people away from coming to court, whether as witnesses, defendants or observers, Bonta said, and amount to a blatant abuse of power. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
The horrors at Requiem Haunted House, the largest indoor scare attraction in the Treasure Valley, begin as soon as you’re greeted at the door. — Hali Smith october 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2026 Rome — Pope Leo XIV left hospital Saturday, four days after undergoing lung cancer surgery in a swift return to his duties following the first health scare of his papacy. — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 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
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