scared

adjective

ˈskerd 

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

scared of snakes

scared to go out

Synonyms of scared

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

Examples of scared in a Sentence

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

And there’s a whole host of reasons why these professionals, who clock in to perform the same duties everyday, could be scared of getting the boot. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026

In many cases, people deported leave behind family members who may be too young or scared to speak because of their own undocumented status. —Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026

At McWilliams Cemetery, located at West Armuchee Road and Smith Gap Road, officers found two emaciated dogs running loose — scared and hungry. —Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026

Some have not had access to quality care at all, and some are just in denial or outright scared of it. —Sonia Singh, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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