jump scare
noun
variants
or less commonly jump-scare
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
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
Chris ButtonExamples of jump scare in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Parker Finn's directorial debut not only lives up to the hype but also delivers a campy and absurd exploration of the transference of generational trauma — pulling off some impressive jump scares and one hell of a phantasmagorical ending.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
There are plenty of jump scares, including a moment in the house when the Fiend and Uncle Howdy simultaneously pop out at guests from both sides, symbolically reuniting Windham and Taylor.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
The film blends jump scares with complex family dynamics, a balance that Stranger Things aspires to achieve as well.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
The best horror stories are those that don’t rely on jump scares or bloodied campground killers to frighten.
—Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jump scare
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.
Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
There are plenty of jump scares, including a moment in the house when the Fiend and Uncle Howdy simultaneously pop out at guests from both sides, symbolically reuniting Windham and Taylor.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
The film blends jump scares with complex family dynamics, a balance that Stranger Things aspires to achieve as well.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
The best horror stories are those that don’t rely on jump scares or bloodied campground killers to frighten.
—Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jump scare
Cite this Entry
“Jump scare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jump%20scare. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share