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
Greg Evans, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
In the original clip, Annie looked timid and scared.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
The recent immigration crackdowns have scared her.
—Mary Schmich, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scared
Adjective
In tight blue jeans and equally snug white tank top, Storrie is repeatedly jump-scared by one electronic surprise after another.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
In the original clip, Annie looked timid and scared.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
During the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, tanker ships caught in the cross fire ended up at the bottom of the Persian Gulf, which scared off potential customers.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
The recent immigration crackdowns have scared her.
—Mary Schmich, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scared
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scared
Adjective
-
Don’t be afraid to wear your heart on your sleeve.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Is the economy struggling, with layoffs and wary investors afraid to lend?—
Alex Mayyasi,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The marsupial escaped from Sunshine Farm in Necedah, a village about 90 miles away from Madison, on March 25, after being frightened by barking dogs, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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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
Adjective
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This publicity brought a flood of calls from hundreds of terrified men around the country—many living in states where being gay was a crime that could land you in a psychiatric hospital or jail.—
Donna Lamb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Recently, Kristen chased a terrified family with young children up a nearby stairway.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kevin Uribe, another employee, said the sound of the collapse initially startled him.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Littrell walked up to the man, who appeared to be startled by the singer's presence.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This little bird was a horrified little lump that just kept falling over his feet.—
Emma Forgione,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
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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
-
Millen got shell-shocked, got phased out and eventually transferred out.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
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On Sunday, Lindsay Hubbard posted a selfie with Miller to her Instagram Stories, and a second still of herself from Summer House with a shocked reaction.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Many stayed home with their families, fearful of the ICE surge in Columbia Heights, Minnesota.—
Jennifer Mayerle,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Niall is mild-mannered, repressed, and fearful of facing his sexuality.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scared. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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