scarier; scariest
Synonyms of scarynext
1
: causing fright : alarming
a scary story
2
: easily scared : timid
3
: feeling alarm or fright : frightened
scarily adverb

Examples of scary in a Sentence

a scary movie that gave the child nightmares for weeks afterwards a scary horse who spooked and kicked at its own shadow
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But the idea of transferring to a new school was scary. Susan Svrluga, Washington Post, 15 June 2026 It's been scary, and it's been really hard to navigate. ABC News, 14 June 2026 Ghosts are, for most people, associated with something scary or threatening. Virgie Tovar, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 That to me is scary because the victim may not see anything obvious. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for scary

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scary was in 1582

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scary. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

scary

adjective
ˈske(ə)r-ē How to pronounce scary (audio)
ˈska(ə)r-
scarier; scariest
1
: causing fright : alarming
a scary movie
2
: easily scared : timid
3
: feeling alarm or fright : scared, frightened
scary feeling
scarily adverb

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