as in to frighten
to strike with fear
thunderstorms have always scared her
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
fired over their heads in order to throw a scare into them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scare
Mary Schmich, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
That process has effectively scared many people away from filling out paperwork to recertify with Medi-Cal due to fears of being outed by the federal government, which is cracking down on undocumented immigrants by apprehending and deporting them.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
Last year, the legendary singer’s health scare derailed his tour and forced him off the stage.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scare
Verb
The recent immigration crackdowns have scared her.
—Mary Schmich, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
That process has effectively scared many people away from filling out paperwork to recertify with Medi-Cal due to fears of being outed by the federal government, which is cracking down on undocumented immigrants by apprehending and deporting them.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
That intimate setup suits the candid subject matter of the new record, whose incubation—and attendant health scare—is among the topics explored in Philip Sherburne’s recent profile, Bill Callahan Laughs at Death.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
Last year, the legendary singer’s health scare derailed his tour and forced him off the stage.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scare
Verb
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Grete is frightened of her brother, of course.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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Israel knows women and babies were tortured, burned and posed in inhuman ways for one reason — to frighten.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Rabbi Irwin Kula, the panel’s moderator, asked the participants to describe their biggest fear or nightmare.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Sacramento community advocates are sounding the alarm over fears of deep city budget cuts that could impact public safety.—
Steve Large,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Since his detainment, Maria said that she's been terrified of leaving the home.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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He was terrified after hearing stories about people dying in the Oklahoma County jail, which was by then recognized as one of the deadliest in the nation.—
Brianna Bailey,
The Frontier,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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While 88% of companies report regular AI use, according to McKinsey, adoption may be stalling as a result of employees’ anxiety around the technology displacing them from their jobs.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
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Noise pollution is a real health issue linked to sleep disorders, elevated blood pressure and anxiety.—
Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some cyclists sped by pretty quickly, startling us and our dog.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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This is a novel about Jewish bodies and how people respond to them, the toll of obsession, and the conflicting currents of desire and unease that shake and startle a deep romantic fixation.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Two decades ago, his grandfather was riding his bicycle when he got cut off by a car, and squeezed his brakes in a panic.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
29 Mar. 2026
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No endgame That ought to provide some perspective on the panic over the war in the Middle East.—
Bret Stephens,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scare. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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