SCARING Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

scaring

verb

present participle of scare

as in frightening

to strike with fear thunderstorms have always scared her

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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 scaring 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 The Longhorns aren't scaring anyone on offense and Sarkisian has come under fire for his play calling. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 In addition to scaring the bejesus out of Hamlet and demanding blood, the ghost informs the audience exactly how the murder occurred. — Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026 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 More than anything, this adaptation feels scared of being too unlikable or scaring anyone too much. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026 But the story went on scaring people for many years afterward, and is probably still sending chills down more than a few spines today. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 Although the pace of home sales have remained largely unchanged this year compared to last year, according to NAR data through August, there are some signs that higher mortgage rates have started scaring off some buyers. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026 This option from Vantamo flashes a bright light and emits a 130-decibel sound from dual speakers whenever the top pin is pulled, alerting passersby of the emergency and scaring off potential assailants. — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 20 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scaring

Verb

Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.

— Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026
This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.

— Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 15 May 2026

Definition of frightening

Verb

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
Still, Douglas is unflinching in the book about how physically abusive and terrifying his dad was to him and his brother.

— Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrifying

Verb

However, keeping rates steady could rock the bond market, sending the Treasury rates that influence mortgages dramatically higher and spooking the stock market.

— Matt Stiles, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026
Sometimes, a machine in the factory would be seen moving on its own, controlled remotely by someone in Turkey, spooking workers in the Texas factory.

— ProPublica, ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of spooking

Browse Nearby Words

scariness

scaring

scaring up

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

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Synonyms of scaring

verb

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