Synonyms of scared

scared 1 of 2

adjective

ˈskerd 

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

• afraid
• frightened
• terrified
• horrified
• shocked
• fearful
• alarmed
• worried
• spooked
• upset
• startled
• aghast
• scary
• panicked
• nervous
• affrighted
• anxious
• terrorized
• hysterical
• apprehensive
• appalled
• timid
• horror-struck
• disturbed
• panicky
• agitated
• shrinking
• timorous
• wary
• perturbed
• phobic
• disquieted
• fainthearted
• intimidated
• shy
• jumpy
• jittery
• uneasy
• disconcerted
• cautious
• tremulous
• cowed
• coward
• unnerved
• dismayed
• daunted
• chicken
• fearsome
• careful
• panic-stricken
• skittish
• cowardly
• funky
• craven
• pusillanimous
• gutless
• tremulant
• unadventurous
• heedful
• prudent
• lily-livered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fearless
• unafraid
• daring
• adventurous
• brave
• bold
• spirited
• audacious
• courageous
• sure
• venturesome
• gutsy
• confident
• daredevil
• plucky
• spunky
• dashing
• hardy
• heroic
• intrepid
• valiant
• collected
• composed
• assured
• adventuresome
• gallant
• cool
• stout
• unperturbed
• stalwart
• venturous
• sanguine
• valorous
• undaunted
• resolute
• stouthearted
• dauntless
• manful
• lionhearted

scared

2 of 2

verb

past tense of scare

as in frightened

to strike with fear

thunderstorms have always scared her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• frightened
• terrified
• startled
• spooked
• shocked
• horrified
• panicked
• alarmed
• terrorized
• frighted
• shook
• affrighted
• scarified
• worried
• amazed
• appalled
• distracted
• gave one the creeps
• dismayed
• made one's flesh creep
• awed
• jolted
• astounded
• disturbed
• daunted
• shook up
• upset
• unnerved
• bowled over
• unsettled
• disconcerted
• distressed
• perturbed
• dispirited
• disquieted
• emasculated
• discomforted
• floored
• demoralized
• psyched (out)
• chilled
• unmanned
• discomposed
• undid
• unstrung

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassured
• assured
• comforted
• cheered
• consoled
• soothed
• encouraged
• inspired
• emboldened
• heartened
• solaced
• steeled

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scared

Adjective

The move comes after years of criticism from animal rights advocates who charge that the horses are overworked, get easily scared and live in inadequate stables with drivers flouting city regulations. — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Older riders, who once sold important organs to buy in-line fours, are now too old and too scared to even care what 14,000rpm in top means on an in-line four. — New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026

Verb

Russell’s previous things, HBO put money into, but the whole anti-DEI crusade has meant that a subject matter like this has made American companies scared to invest in it. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Researchers knew part of what scared children on 9/11 were the loud sirens and the fact that trusted figures such as firefighters and police officers were hurt. — Julie Dobrow, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026