1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a scary movie that gave the child nightmares for weeks afterwards
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in timid
easily frightened
a scary horse who spooked and kicked at its own shadow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in scared
filled with fear or dread
I got a little scary when I heard the noise in the basement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
a scary movie
a scary thought
a terrifying thought
a horrifying thought
a frightening thought
a chilling thought
a horrible thought
scary stories
a scary time
a scary situation
a terrifying situation
a dangerous situation
a frightening situation
a bad situation
a crazy situation
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scary
Blum is also staying true to the company’s philosophy about finding good stories, things that are genuinely scary, rather than trying to stack them with stars or buzzy directors and figure out the rest later.
—
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 5 June 2025
Its stern warnings are scary and uncomfortable--the headaches, indigestion, muscle spasms, body aches, clenched teeth or knots in your chest.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Epic Universe Ride Guide: New park rides ranked from tame to super scary
Check out our Epic Universe reviews of the new theme park’s 11 ride experiences, including Harry Potter, Stardust Racers, Mine-Cart Madness and Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, which place guests in some unreal environments.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2025
That’s a level of transactional friction in the global economy that is multiples higher than long-prevailing rates, yet less decisively scary than the punitive plan that crashed the market and created the early-April buying opportunity, at the moment of peak uncertainty.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scary
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 5 June 2025
Its stern warnings are scary and uncomfortable--the headaches, indigestion, muscle spasms, body aches, clenched teeth or knots in your chest.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Epic Universe Ride Guide: New park rides ranked from tame to super scary
Check out our Epic Universe reviews of the new theme park’s 11 ride experiences, including Harry Potter, Stardust Racers, Mine-Cart Madness and Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, which place guests in some unreal environments.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2025
That’s a level of transactional friction in the global economy that is multiples higher than long-prevailing rates, yet less decisively scary than the punitive plan that crashed the market and created the early-April buying opportunity, at the moment of peak uncertainty.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scary
Adjective
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More: Ukraine drone attack shows familiar-looking drones can be terrifying weapons How does the Pentagon, which spends nearly a trillion dollars a year on defense, have such a vulnerability?—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
8 June 2025
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An apocalyptic wasteland ruled by savage bands of outlaws or a horny computer dork's bedroom — which is more terrifying?—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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The slope of that ramp makes Pike’s Peak look timid.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 May 2025
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The confident smile the until then timid Giulio wears on his face as a result is equally cliched.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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Mines says most of the volunteers like her were scared of getting arrested.—
Marta Martínez,
NPR,
8 June 2025
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Gina Castillo, the foundation's Rescue Director, was first alerted by a local contact about a small, scared senior dog that had been brought into a Long Beach shelter.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Critics of the administration’s tactics, including former Homeland Security officials, said the White House’s strategy boils down to frightening immigrants into leaving on their own.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2025
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How to check food labels for allergies Howard's story is frightening and not entirely uncommon.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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As the Republican Party braces for aftershocks from President Donald Trump’s spectacular clash with Elon Musk, lawmakers and conservative figures are urging détente, fearful of the potential consequences from a prolonged feud.—
Chris Megerian,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
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That has put greater attention on the employment data, with investors fearful that upcoming reports will start to show consumers and businesses crumbling under the weight of tariffs.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Suspect's family detained: Wife, 5 children deportation Jewish community on edge: Amid ongoing attacks, Jewish people are afraid.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
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On the experimental end, the label isn’t afraid to push boundaries, as evidenced by Magnificent Little Dudes, a captivating collaboration between Japanese ambient artist Chihei Hatakeyama and jazz drummer Shun Ishiwaka.—
Steve Baltin,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Sinha’s strategic interventions have substantially scaled up businesses, powering a formidable sales pipeline by assisting the company in landing enterprise-level engagements.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
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Everything points to the fact that Karolína’s exceptional talent has caught the attention of the formidable and much admired choirmaster.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Horses are naturally skittish animals that can easily become frightened and bolt.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
27 May 2025
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Footage from the immediate aftermath captured mothers and fathers clutching children on their hips, running through the mist of water dousing the flames, while frightened dogs scrambled alongside them.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scary. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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