Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

scare

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of scare

to strike with fear
  • thunderstorms have always scared her
Synonyms of scare

affright, alarm (also alarum), fright, frighten, horrify, panic, scarify, shock, spook, startle, terrify, terrorize
Words Related to scare

appall (also appal), bowl over, dismay, floor, jolt, shake, shake up

amaze, astound, awe

chill, daunt, demoralize, dispirit, emasculate, psych (out), undo, unman, unnerve, unstring

discomfort, discompose, disconcert, disquiet, distract, distress, disturb, perturb, unsettle, upset, worry
Phrases Synonymous with scare

give one the creeps, make one's flesh creep (or crawl)
Near Antonyms of scare

assure, cheer, comfort, console, solace, soothe

embolden, encourage, hearten, inspire, steel
Antonyms of scare

reassure

scare

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of scare

the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
  • fired over their heads in order to throw a scare into them
Synonyms of scare

alarm (also alarum), anxiety, dread, fear, fearfulness, fright, horror, panic, terror, trepidation
Words Related to scare

phobia

creeps, jitters, nervousness, willies

pang, qualm, twinge

agitation, apprehension, consternation, discomposure, disquiet, funk, perturbation

concern, dismay, worry

cowardice, faintheartedness, timidity, timorousness
Near Antonyms of scare

aplomb, assurance, boldness, confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence

bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, fortitude, gallantry, hardihood, intrepidity, intrepidness, stoutness, valor

audacity, guts, nerve

Learn More about scare

  1. See words that rhyme with scare Dictionary: Definition of scare Spanish Central: Translation of scare Nglish: Translation of scare for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scare for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up scare? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

nomothetic

involving abstract or general statements

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. intransigence, intransigent Trump cancels Davos trip.

  2. white supremacist Steve King discusses views.

  3. clemency Cyntoia Brown granted release

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games