scare

verb

\ ˈsker

scared; scaring

Definition of scare

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to frighten especially suddenly : alarm

intransitive verb

: to become scared

scare

noun

Definition of scare (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a sudden fright

2 : a widespread state of alarm : panic

Other Words from scare Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about scare

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Examples of scare in a Sentence

Verb

You scared me. I didn't see you there. Stop that, you're scaring the children.

Noun

There have been scares about the water supply being contaminated. fired over their heads in order to throw a scare into them

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

All these actions are intended to scare Hong Kongers into submission. — The Economist, "“We long to see a Hong Kong free from tyranny”," 31 Aug. 2019 That’s their purpose: to scare people into not speaking. — Joey Nolfi, EW.com, "Scientology and the Aftermath," 26 Aug. 2019 But advocates worry the rules will scare immigrants into not asking for help. — Colleen Long, BostonGlobe.com, "New Trump administration rules can deny green cards for immigrants on food stamps," 12 Aug. 2019 Advocates worry the rules will scare immigrants into not asking for help. — Los Angeles Times, "New Trump rules could deny green cards to immigrants on public assistance," 12 Aug. 2019 Immigrant rights groups strongly criticized the changes, warning the rules will scare immigrants into not asking for help. — Colleen Long, chicagotribune.com, "Trump targets legal immigration with new rules that could deny green cards to immigrants on food stamps, other aid," 12 Aug. 2019 Some solicitors try to scare seniors into cooperating, said Shimon Richmond, an assistant inspector general for investigations. — Kaiser Health News, oregonlive.com, "Watch out for this Medicare scam involving DNA genetic tests," 3 Aug. 2019 The only direct impact of the record Facebook fine may be to scare other companies into shaping up their privacy practices—though even that is uncertain given how earlier FTC fines have failed to spur the tech industry to change its ways. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, "How Facebook’s $5 Billion Fine Should Be Spent," 20 July 2019 Opponents contended that adding the question was an effort to scare noncitizens into avoiding the census. — Ashley Shaffer, USA TODAY, "'I wouldn't tell anybody this'," 27 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The pain subsided, but the scare lingered in the back of his mind. — Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, "Despite Mike Fiers’ scare on the mound, Athletics power out a win over Rangers," 14 Sep. 2019 Buffs faithful feared a contest that would mirror the holy scare Army gave No. — Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, "CU Buffs bit by Nebraska hangover, fall to Air Force in OT, 30-23," 14 Sep. 2019 Peter Hajek, an expert on tobacco dependence at Queen Mary University of London, says the scare is being used to deter cigarette smokers from switching to less risky vapes. — The Economist, "A deadly outbreak casts a dark cloud over e-cigarettes," 14 Sep. 2019 The horror aspect of it, the scares didn’t even sort of present themselves to me. — Samantha Highfill, EW.com, "Today will be different: An oral history of The Vampire Diaries pilot," 9 Sep. 2019 The scares in Chapter Two are different because the level of awareness and expectations are different. — Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, "'It: Chapter Two' and the Weight of Expectations," 7 Sep. 2019 That the scare canceled the parade, in which Gov. Philip D. Murphy and his wife had been scheduled to march, as well as the charity fun run and evening fireworks, was a painful coda to a summer pockmarked by anxiety. — Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times, "A Summer Rite Canceled by a New Reality: Fear," 2 Sep. 2019 Just after her brain cancer diagnosis became public, Harper told fans that health scares were a reminder to forget about what-ifs and focus on the what's-nexts of life. — NBC News, "Valerie Harper, beloved 'Mary Tyler Moore' and 'Rhoda' actress, dies from cancer at 80," 30 Aug. 2019 The scare comes after 31 people were killed in two mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, in less than 24 hours over the weekend. — Fox News, "Motorcycle backfiring causes panic in Times Square, cops say," 8 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scare.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.