scary

adjective

ˈsker-ē How to pronounce scary (audio)
Definition of scarynext
1
as in terrifying
causing fear a scary movie that gave the child nightmares for weeks afterwards

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in timid
easily frightened a scary horse who spooked and kicked at its own shadow

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in scared
filled with fear or dread I got a little scary when I heard the noise in the basement

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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 scary Adonis Cordova, 6, is now walking on crutches after the scary ordeal. — Joy Benedict, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 There’s also no violence shown on screen, though the villain, Cruella de Vil, may be scary to some young viewers. — Anna Earl, Parents, 15 Oct. 2026 The Beavers boast the nation’s leader in passing yards with sophomore Braden Atkinson (2,257) and leader in receiving yards with freshman Jesse Legree (932) — both scary stats for Bronco fans given the team’s struggles in defending the pass. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026 But while one jailbreak posted online can arm a billion people, the scarier class is the one that needs no arming. — Rakesh Agrawal, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scary
  1. terrifying
  2. timid
  3. scared
  4. frightening
  5. fearful
  6. afraid
  7. formidable
  8. frightened
Adjective
  • Fifty years ago, scientists pioneering a terrifying gene-splicing technology figured out a way to collectively hit pause.
    — Nick Fountain, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Don’t worry, the breakdown starts in a hurry and Cardellini is terrifying, if perhaps not as sympathetic as the series requires long-term.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • Defense can’t be too timid, but there needs to be rational response to an asymmetric downside.
    — Bob Ackerman, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Yukon Golds bring plenty of flavor on their own, while garlic and rosemary steeped in warm milk and cream make sure there’s nothing timid about them.
    — Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of timid
Adjective
  • The move comes after years of criticism from animal rights advocates who charge that the horses are overworked, get easily scared and live in inadequate stables with drivers flouting city regulations.
    — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Older riders, who once sold important organs to buy in-line fours, are now too old and too scared to even care what 14,000rpm in top means on an in-line four.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • There is nothing more frightening than when the familiar starts acting strange, in movies or in life.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • And with Halloween nearly upon us, the question of what frightening, shocking, silly, classic, or demonically camp movies to press play on again (and again) has never been more pertinent.
    — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • But in an edited video put out by the White House that showed her march to the podium, set to pickup-truck-commercial music, Zacharia appeared visibly fearful.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Some online have pledged to never ride a roller coaster again, too fearful of the unimaginable horror of falling out.
    — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of fearful
Adjective
  • Opt for a dark wash without rips and frays to keep the look streamlined, but don't be afraid to play with proportions and have fun with patterns and texture.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Measure What Customers Do After The Test Pick five to eight people who already trust you and aren’t afraid to tell you the truth.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • But the expansion of Bioko's strategy presents formidable challenges, from porous international borders to the sheer scale of the territory.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Although a small number of peptide medicines are already available as pills, most candidates still face formidable barriers to oral delivery.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of formidable
Adjective
  • Discovering that your identity has been stolen can leave you feeling angry, frightened and unsure where to begin.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In one video, a young orangutan can be seen crouching in the corner of a small, dark crate, its frightened eyes wide open.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of frightened

Browse Nearby Words

scars
scary
scat
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Cite this Entry

“Scary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scary. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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