scare 1 of 2

verb

ˈsker How to pronounce scare (audio)
Definition of scarenext
as in to frighten
to strike with fear thunderstorms have always scared her

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scare

2 of 2

noun

as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger fired over their heads in order to throw a scare into them

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of scare
Verb
Halloween Horror Nights are still scaring visitors to Universal Studios Hollywood, but the park is already making holiday plans. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 There are a few other helpful features, such as two-way talk to speak with visitors on the other side of your door, as well as a siren that can scare away any unwanted parties. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
There are laughs, genuine scares and a bar, all setting the stage for a good time. — Benjamin Carr, AJC.com, 10 Oct. 2026 Tickets start at $38 for admission to all three scare trails, with add-ons and upgrades available. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scare
  1. frighten
  2. fear
  3. terrify
  4. anxiety
  5. startle
  6. panic
Verb
  • Douglas admitted that his father’s behavior left him and brother Joel frightened.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • At the very start of the pandemic, while most Americans were hunkered down, frightened for their lives and worried about job loss, RealPage hosted a virtual pep talk for landlords.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of frighten
Noun
  • The White House decision has heightened fears that Ukraine could be left exposed to Moscow's escalating attacks as winter approaches.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • That a self-image forged in the crucible of the fear of being ugly makes women amputate their talents?
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of fear
Verb
  • By this point, the audience knows the monster a little too well to be properly terrified of her.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Though privacy concerns around these agents’ access may be terrifying in their own right, for now the utopian vision seems to be winning.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrify
Noun
  • When the line between general unease with not knowing crosses into anxiety that interferes with daily life, people should seek professional help, said Dugas.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Given Abbey’s anxieties about spending money and fear of not having enough, Stacy plans to use very conservative assumptions for inflation, health costs and average returns when making her projections based on Abbey’s savings today.
    — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of anxiety
Verb
  • The parents admit to some corporal punishment, but of a mild sort—the kind that might startle a child but which wouldn’t do bodily harm.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026
  • However, startled by the activation of the security system, the suspect fled the scene without stealing any loot.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of startle
Noun
  • And the resulting panic about disorder was then exploited to enable still more dehumanizing.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Instead of panic, Shapero said employers should see their staff’s posts as free advertising.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of panic

Phrases Containing scare

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scarcity
scare
scared
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Cite this Entry

“Scare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scare. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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