jump scare

noun

variants or less commonly jump-scare

ˈjəmp-ˌsker 

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

… 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

Examples of jump scare in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Both are referential, packed with Lynchian flourishes and Stephen King Easter eggs, but at the same time like nothing else onscreen, a combination of slapstick humor and genuinely frightening jump scares that feels all its own. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 29 June 2026

There are several jump scares as the atmosphere becomes increasingly unnerving. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 18 June 2026

But the second-scariest part of this opening scene comes shortly after the scene has already ended, when a split-second jump scare reveals what Katie looked like after Samara killed her. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026

The jump scares alone are absolutely insane with the Woojer on. — Joe Salas may 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1986, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for jump scare

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare