jump scare
noun
variants
or less commonly jump-scare
or jumpscare
plural jump scares also jump-scares or jumpscares
: a scripted moment (as in a film or video game) intended to startle the audience
The biggest jolts in "The Omen" … come from conventionally staged jump scares, where a nasty image suddenly flashes on the screen accompanied by a startling sound effect.—
Li Wang
Li Wang… differentiates itself from other VR [=virtual reality] horror games by not resorting to cheap jump-scares, instead flexing its brilliant visuals to build an atmospheric sense of foreboding.—Chris Button
Chris ButtonExamples of jump scare in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The jump scares and other usual genre tricks are sparse, and Johnson isn’t really interested in gore.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025
In the hands of director Hannah Meade, the play has an engrossing horror movie quality, with a jump scare or two, but the story’s arc is hard to follow.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
Like too much modern horror, the remake indulges in lame jump scares and questionable plotting.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
While the film is ripe with jump scares and body horror — conceived largely with practical effects — the tone is offset by Brie and Franco’s undeniable comedic synchronicity.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025
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Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025
In the hands of director Hannah Meade, the play has an engrossing horror movie quality, with a jump scare or two, but the story’s arc is hard to follow.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
Like too much modern horror, the remake indulges in lame jump scares and questionable plotting.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
While the film is ripe with jump scares and body horror — conceived largely with practical effects — the tone is offset by Brie and Franco’s undeniable comedic synchronicity.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jump scare
Articles Related to jump scare
Cite this Entry
“Jump scare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jump%20scare. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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