scare 1 of 2

verb

ˈsker How to pronounce scare (audio)
Definition of scarenext
as in to frighten
to strike with fear thunderstorms have always scared her

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scare

2 of 2

noun

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scare
Verb
Few griz/hunter interactions ever move beyond the scaring stage. — Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026 Durkin went 21-for-22 from less than 50 yards out, for those scared by Trey Smack’s 30-yard misses. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
Nvidia was back at record highs by June 25, 2025, yet every efficiency headline since has been read through the January template, including the scare the market relived this July around Moonshot AI's Kimi K3. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 During Monday’s practice, the Jets had a bit of a scare after Breece Hall suffered a strained groin. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scare
  1. frighten
  2. fear
  3. terrify
  4. anxiety
  5. startle
  6. panic
Verb
  • If your child is frightened of needles, another option is nasal spray.
    — Eva Flowe August 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And for members who have a long history, who are used to running on that long history, that frightens them.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of frighten
Noun
  • The frenzy followed Beijing’s decision in the mid-1980s to ban imports of almost all blood products – except human albumin – amid growing fears over the global HIV/AIDS crisis.
    — CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Now, as my anxiety climbed, the smell was becoming inseparable from the fear.
    — Ledio Cakaj, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of fear
Verb
  • For Thomas, unpacking what went wrong goes well beyond the headless bodies, terrifying phone calls and dead ends.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Jurors in 2025 failed to reach verdicts in the case that terrified Davis in late April and early May 2023.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrify
Noun
  • Now, as my anxiety climbed, the smell was becoming inseparable from the fear.
    — Ledio Cakaj, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026
  • After years of stomach-gurgling, nail-chewing anxiety, this was an entirely different Arsenal experience.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of anxiety
Verb
  • Of those who were injured, officials said that many were hurt while falling down or hitting themselves against furniture after being startled by the earthquake while sleeping.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 23 Aug. 2026
  • There’s nothing worse than waking up in the middle of a super restful sleep cycle, whether you are startled by the neighbor’s dog or an unwanted text message.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of startle
Noun
  • Her parents helped create the law, which requires public schools to install a silent panic alarm system directly linked to law enforcement.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Yet there are also signs that the right’s revisionism panic might be petering out.
    — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of panic

Phrases Containing scare

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scarcity
scare
scared
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Cite this Entry

“Scare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scare. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on scare

Nglish: Translation of scare for Spanish Speakers

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