scare away/off
phrasal verb
scared away/off; scaring away/off; scares away/off
: to cause (someone or something) to go away and stay away because of fear or because of possible trouble, difficulty, etc.
The dog scared the prowler away.
The noise scared off the birds.
Tourists have been scared off by the recent violence in the city.
Examples of scare away/off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hang Reflective Ornaments Flash tape, reflective wind spinners and pinwheels, and even old CDs can be used to scare off birds.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 June 2025
Although the snakes prefer to hide or scare away humans, people who get too close may suffer a painful bite carrying venom that can damage muscle tissue and skin.
—Max Levy, Denver Post, 31 May 2025
Netting along eves, models of owls and hawks, spinners and windsocks can all be used (sometimes with varying success) to scare off woodpeckers.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Such a risk, even if merely looming in the shadows, could also scare away future investors; and in the event of a future raise that does require a CFIUS filing, CFIUS will then seek to review the prior investment.
—Jack Shelton, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for scare away/off
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Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 June 2025
Although the snakes prefer to hide or scare away humans, people who get too close may suffer a painful bite carrying venom that can damage muscle tissue and skin.
—Max Levy, Denver Post, 31 May 2025
Netting along eves, models of owls and hawks, spinners and windsocks can all be used (sometimes with varying success) to scare off woodpeckers.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Such a risk, even if merely looming in the shadows, could also scare away future investors; and in the event of a future raise that does require a CFIUS filing, CFIUS will then seek to review the prior investment.
—Jack Shelton, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for scare away/off
Cite this Entry
“Scare away/off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scare%20away%2Foff. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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