as in afraid
filled with fear or dread
at the sight of the grizzly bear he froze, being too scared to even run away
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in frightened
to strike with fear
thunderstorms have always scared her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scared
Adam Thompson, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Camarillo, a substitute teacher, is also scared for her students.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Meredith Maran, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
The current risk level in the Strait has already scared off most major marine war insurers, who have pulled their coverage of ships in the Strait.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scared
Adjective
Officials said the scared dog ran and jumped over the railing and fell down the embankment.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Camarillo, a substitute teacher, is also scared for her students.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
That scared the bejesus out of me.
—Meredith Maran, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
The current risk level in the Strait has already scared off most major marine war insurers, who have pulled their coverage of ships in the Strait.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scared
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scared
Adjective
-
Neither is too afraid of what the USMNT has in store for them, either.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Fairey was forthcoming about his opinions on art, politics and technology, drawing applause at one point for saying that using AI in art is not something to be afraid of.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chesney had escaped from an outside enclosure on March 25, after being frightened by some unknown barking dogs.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Facing cameras and a swath of media in her tiny hometown, Long Rife was not frightened by the prospect of moving cross-country.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Recently, Kristen chased a terrified family with young children up a nearby stairway.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
But since the arrival of the feds, families had grown too terrified to leave home.—
Daniel Brook,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The realization that many members did not have the same connection to Israel, and even sympathized with its critics, startled her.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
As Alpha waits for the results of blood tests, she is startled by the sudden appearance of a gaunt, jittery stranger in their apartment.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This little bird was a horrified little lump that just kept falling over his feet.—
Emma Forgione,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The horrified fisherman ran out to the street to hail the Mascotte police chief, who was directing traffic in front of a nearby elementary school.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Cain seems genuinely shocked by this.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Lexi, who appears to be an assistant, is shocked.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Local politicians that previously supported the chorus, either socially or financially, are now fearful of retribution by the governor, Cabrera said.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The American Kennel Club (AKC) emphasizes that helping fearful dogs requires patience and positive reinforcement.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scared. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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