scared

1 of 2

adjective

ˈskerd 

: thrown into or being in a state of fear, fright, or panic

scared of snakes

scared to go out

scared

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of scare entry 1

Synonyms of scared

Adjective

• afraid
• frightened
• terrified
• horrified
• shocked
• fearful

Examples of scared in a Sentence

Adjective

I am really scared about speaking in front of the class.

He was scared that his mother wouldn't let him go to the movies with his friends.

She's scared to walk alone at night.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

As a pediatrician, there's little Narra can do to help a kid feel a little less scared. — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026

Russ is scared this might end, and now Ricky potentially has the opportunity to leave — so there’s this heartbreak. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Alvarez’s intervention work primarily focused on using his gang contacts to help quash disputes and acting as a middleman between people scared to report crimes to police and law enforcement officials, according to Garcia-Leys. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Churches and nonprofits delivered groceries to those who were too scared to go out. — Jesus Chuy Garcia, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1579, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing scared

• get scared
• scared/frightened the dickens
• scared stiff
• scared to death

Rhymes for scared

• compared
• declared
• despaired
• ensnared
• impaired
• prepared
• repaired
• unpaired
• unshared
• aired
• bared
• blared