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
The audio quality was crisp and robust, which is key to delivering jump scares.
—PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2025
Whoever came up with the idea to merge a Planet Earth–style doc with the screeching score, squelching sounds, and jump scares of the horror genre, congratulations.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Set appropriately inside the creepy, abandoned Sears department store, the carnival includes a bunch of ways to get your kicks, giggles and jump scares.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Yes, your little one might still encounter a creepy mask while out trick-or-treating, but Halloween doesn’t have to be all jump scares.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jump scare
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PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2025
Whoever came up with the idea to merge a Planet Earth–style doc with the screeching score, squelching sounds, and jump scares of the horror genre, congratulations.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Set appropriately inside the creepy, abandoned Sears department store, the carnival includes a bunch of ways to get your kicks, giggles and jump scares.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Yes, your little one might still encounter a creepy mask while out trick-or-treating, but Halloween doesn’t have to be all jump scares.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 24 Sep. 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 12 Oct. 2025.
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