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

The move comes after years of criticism from animal rights advocates who charge that the horses are overworked, get easily scared and live in inadequate stables with drivers flouting city regulations. — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Older riders, who once sold important organs to buy in-line fours, are now too old and too scared to even care what 14,000rpm in top means on an in-line four. — New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026

Many members of the public also described to reporters and on social media feeling intimidated, scared and harassed by heavily armed security guards hired by the film company to keep the public off streets closed for the movie set. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

More than anything, this adaptation feels scared of being too unlikable or scaring anyone too much. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 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