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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
The duo, known for their horror scares thanks to movies such as Sinister, Doctor Strange and The Black Phone, will write the screenplay with Derrickson set to direct. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025 There are assignments within Alex’s original assignment, adding bullet points to her to-do list, like playing in a recital and completing Elizabeth’s true-love questionnaire, as well as further obligations to do other things that scare her for a week straight. — Courtney Howard, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
In worse news, Shuai’s messy meatball gives a bottom-three scare. — Caroline Framke, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025 Duffy’s participation in the daily ritual of millions of New Yorkers comes amid his subway scare tactics, with the secretary threatening to withhold federal funding for the system over perceptions of crime — despite the NYPD declaring 2024 the safest year for straphangers in more than a decade. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2025 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
  • Two years ago, several small-business owners testified to a legislative committee that Americans with Disabilities Act plaintiffs’ lawyers filed spurious complaints, alleging what appeared to be a random list of violations in an attempt to frighten and intimidate the business owner.
    — Mark Hillman, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2025
  • This has hallmarks of emotional abuse – non-physical behaviors meant to isolate, control and frighten.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of frighten
Noun
  • Orr’s study also found that even as silence about climate change can spiral into deeper fears of speaking out, speaking about the issue can drive a spiral toward further discussion and action — and that individual conversations can play a surprisingly large role.
    — Saul Elbein, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Creating a culture of fear by persecuting unpopular individuals and groups?
    — Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of fear
Verb
  • Robbins’ parents were terrified that the school was using the laptop to spy on their son and other students (including their daughter Paige).
    — Barry Levitt, Time, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The thought of dying without finding out what happened to her son terrifies Petrone.
    — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of terrify
Noun
  • Consumer sentiment fell sharply in April, marking the fourth consecutive month of declines, as an intensifying trade war fueled anxiety over American jobs and rising inflation.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Is loyalty to an old friend and/or anxiety about having a kid reason enough to spend a day or two away from a wife who could go into labor at any minute?
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of anxiety
Verb
  • In a now-viral video from Stacy Goss, the family was startled by the sight of a huge bald eagle gawking at them, but more concerningly, at their dog Gnocchi.
    — Rachel Raposas, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Area residents might remember similar sights of helicopters in 2023, when the sounds of gunfire and explosions from military training startled some in the Kansas City metro.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of startle
Noun
  • Trump faces growing pushback from his own party The markets were still in a panic on Monday when an unverified report circulated that the president was considering a 90-day pause on the tariffs.
    — Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Two more came in July of 2002, when panic over corporate fraud set-off by Enron’s collapse the year before, finally eased.
    — Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
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 21 Apr. 2025.

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