scarier; scariest
1
: causing fright : alarming
a scary story
3
: feeling alarm or fright : frightened
Examples of scary in a Sentence
a scary movie that gave the child nightmares for weeks afterwards
a scary horse who spooked and kicked at its own shadow
Recent Examples on the Web
This season, Point came back from a scary right knee in January that kept him out of the Olympics.
—
Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
Being there for his weekly routine captures something of Michaels’ entrenched schedule, as well as the scary-fast prep swirling around him.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Most damning may be that the film is just not very scary.
—Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
That's scary for people who don't want to have those conversations.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scary
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Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
Being there for his weekly routine captures something of Michaels’ entrenched schedule, as well as the scary-fast prep swirling around him.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Most damning may be that the film is just not very scary.
—Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
That's scary for people who don't want to have those conversations.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scary
Cite this Entry
“Scary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scary. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scary
adjective
ˈske(ə)r-ē 
ˈska(ə)r-
scarier; scariest
1
: causing fright : alarming
a scary movie
2
: easily scared : timid
3
: feeling alarm or fright : scared, frightened
scary feeling
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