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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in frightened
to strike with fear
thunderstorms have always scared her
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 scared
Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2025
The thing that upsets me with fashion today is everyone is so scared.
—Rob Haskell, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Plus, the field may be scared away after Rachaad White scored the game-winning touchdown against the Texans on Monday night.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scared
Adjective
Deer that are wounded could be scared and fight back with their antlers or limbs.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2025
The thing that upsets me with fashion today is everyone is so scared.
—Rob Haskell, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
And in the movie’s eyes, that central lie is still passing along Bessie’s tragedy to new sets of ears, and thus neither our hero’s best friend nor that scared young boy in Eastern Europe is ever truly forgotten.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Plus, the field may be scared away after Rachaad White scored the game-winning touchdown against the Texans on Monday night.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scared
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scared
Adjective
-
Heat coaches and players aren’t afraid to admit it.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Some in Silicon Valley, even those developing advanced AI, are genuinely afraid of where the technology might lead.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One, frightened, pressed her belly into the pavement.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Carley Coleman, operations director at adjacent Via Vite, said her staff and guests dining at the restaurant were frightened when gunshots rang out.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Not every traveler wants to feel terrified on vacation, so this round-up of eight spooky places around the globe ranges from the perfectly harmless to the downright creepy.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Instead of bounding in with excitement, the golden retriever looks terrified.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Whether a pup bolts after a squirrel, slips its collar, or runs off after being startled, those first few minutes can feel endless.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Who jumped, startled, when Rey laughed nervously.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Like Porcile, a horrified warning.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
When Trowbridge announces that Rayburn was the architect of the HMS Courageous attack and doesn’t say a word about Roylin, everyone is rocked back on their heels in horrified surprise, except for Dennison.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
When she is betrayed by her own likeness, Stella can only look out onto a shocked audience, and happens to find a familiar –– albeit, not friendly –– face among them.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The shocked look on Byrne’s face, captured in one take, is genuine.—
Matthew Jacobs,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
These are not the words of a Premier League cheerleader, or indeed of someone fearful that English football will be left behind if La Liga and Serie A get their way.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
This hesitancy is common, Travers said, because people may be fearful of being judged or of having their trauma follow them later in life.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
However, its minimal restrictions have alarmed lawyers, researchers, and public figures.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The actor remembered that paramedics became alarmed after checking his vital signs, and he was rushed to the nearest hospital.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scared. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share