scary

scary

adjective \ˈsker-ē\

scar·i·erscar·i·est

Definition of SCARY

1

: causing fright : alarming <a scary story>

2

: easily scared : timid

3

: feeling alarm or fright : frightened

— scar·i·ly \ˈsker-ə-lē\ adverb

Examples of SCARY

1. <a scary movie that gave the child nightmares for weeks afterwards>
2. <a scary horse who spooked and kicked at its own shadow>

First Known Use of SCARY

1582

Related to SCARY

Synonyms

alarming, dire, direful, dread, dreadful, fearsome, forbidding, formidable, frightening, frightful, ghastly, hair-raising, horrendous, horrible, horrifying, intimidating, redoubtable, fearful, shocking, spine-chilling, terrible, terrifying

Antonyms

adventuresome, adventurous, audacious, bold, daring, dashing, gutsy, hardy, venturesome, venturous

Related Words

daunting, demoralizing, disconcerting, discouraging, dismaying, disquieting, distressing, disturbing, perturbing, startling, threatening, troubling, trying, unnerving; bone-chilling, creepy, eerie (also eery), weird; appalling, atrocious, awful, grisly, gruesome (also grewsome), hideous, horrid, macabre, monstrous, nightmarish

Near Antonyms

calming, comforting, consoling, inviting, lulling, pacifying, quieting, reassuring, relaxing, soothing, tranquilizing (also tranquillizing); nonintimidating, nonthreatening